Designing Video for Every Learner: Accessibility & WCAG 2.1
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 | 12 – 1 PM EST
About the Event
Video makes learning more flexible, engaging, and inclusive when accessibility is built in from the start. As institutions prepare for ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements, higher education leaders need practical ways to align video-based learning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
In this webinar, educational technology specialists will examine how accessibility intersects with learning design and student success. Drawing on experience at the University of Washington and Boise State University, learn how captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, and navigable video structure support compliance and strengthen learning outcomes. The discussion will reflect campus practices and emerging approaches shaped by evolving expectations.
Panopto will also share accessibility-focused platform updates that support WCAG-aligned video practices across recorded and live content. You will learn how technology reduces friction and manual effort, how WCAG 2.1 AA applies to video-based learning, why accessibility benefits learners across modalities, and how institutions are planning for long-term accessibility readiness.
Featured speakers
El Schofield, Team Lead for Service Management, IT, University of Washington
El Schofield is a team lead in the University of Washington Information Technology, where her team manages technology services to support teaching and learning across the three UW campuses. She has helped lead teams for LMS support, instructional design, project management, and faculty development in a variety of higher education environments. Her past work and studies have centered on STEM education and designing accessible online learning experiences.
Laura Baldwin, Service Manager, IT, University of Washington
Laura Baldwin is a service manager in University of Washington Information Technology. She manages the Panopto service for UW, leading a talented team of engineers, designers, classroom technologists, and support specialists to support the tool in its broad teaching and learning applications. Laura co-developed UW’s strategy for making academic video content accessible at scale and continues to collaborate with accessibility and educational technology specialists to implement these practices university-wide.
LaKell Archer, Instructional Technologist 2, Boise State University
LaKell Archer works with Boise State’s Learning Technology Solutions (LTS) team, where she supports faculty and staff in implementing instructional technologies that enhance teaching and learning. She holds a M.S. in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Technology at Boise State University. Her professional practice and research centers on educational technology (EdTech) adoption, EdTech-enabled leadership and expertise development, and performance improvement in higher education and healthcare contexts.
Simona Fallavollita, Senior Director of Product Management, Panopto
Simona is responsible for defining and driving Panopto’s strategic product roadmap to enhance user engagement and platform capabilities. With over 15 years of experience in EdTech, Simona’s work consistently focuses on delivering high-value solutions that meet the complex needs of modern learning environments. Her background includes directing product strategy for a leading corporate LMS, as well as extensive experience in professional assessments, credentialing, and computer-based testing solutions across both B2B and B2C markets. She leverages this deep expertise to innovate within the learning space and accelerate market growth.
