The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø (USM) Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is pleased to announce the appointment of four Faculty Co-Leads for the 2026-2027 Digital Accessibility Communities of Practice (CoPs). These leaders will spearhead efforts to ensure that teaching and learning across the system's 12 institutions are inclusive, equitable, and compliant with the upcoming Title II standards.
As the USM works toward the April 26, 2027, digital accessibility compliance deadline, these Co-Leads will provide the disciplinary expertise and peer mentorship necessary to transform accessibility from a technical requirement into a pedagogical strength.
Digital Accessibility in STEM Community of Practice
Dr. Sarah Bass, Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), ²¹²Ô»å Dr. Cyndi Wiley, Collegiate Faculty, Teaching & Learning and Associate Professor in Web/Digital Design & Virtual Reality at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) will co-lead the STEM Community of Practice.
STEM disciplines often face unique hurdles in digital accessibility, from complex mathematical notation to interactive lab simulations. In their roles, these Co-Leads will conduct a landscape analysis of accessibility guidance within STEM fields and lead a cohort of 24+ faculty members in identifying and solving discipline-specific barriers. Their work will ensure that the next generation of Maryland's scientists and engineers learn in an environment designed for all students.
Digital Accessibility in Music & Arts Community of Practice
Dr. Luis Engelke, Professor of Music at Towson University (TU), ²¹²Ô»å Dr. Jessica Grimmer, Co-Director, Center for Archival Futures (café) and Lecturer in the College of Information at University of Maryland (UMCP), will serve as Co-Leads for the Music & Arts Community of Practice.
Recognizing that visual and auditory arts require specialized approaches to digital inclusion, these Co-Leads will foster a collaborative environment for faculty to experiment with new pedagogical approaches. By reviewing guidance from national arts organizations and implementing WCAG 2.1 AA standards in creative contexts, they will help move the needle on how the arts are taught and experienced across the USM.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The work of these Co-Leads will begin with a system-wide Community of Practice launch on Friday, October 2, 2026. Throughout the academic year, they will partner with the Kirwan Center and the USM Digital Accessibility Working Group to co-create faculty surveys, facilitate virtual meetings, and develop practical solutions that can be scaled across the state.
The appointment of these Co-Leads underscores the USM's commitment to collaborative excellence. By drawing on leadership from across the system's institutions, the Kirwan Center fosters a robust professional network that transcends institutional boundaries, ensuring that cutting-edge accessibility practices are not just shared, but deeply integrated into the fabric of academic departments.
The Kirwan Center will begin recruiting faculty participants for both Communities of Practice in August 2026. 
To learn more about the Digital Accessibility Communities of Practice Co-Leads, visit the Kirwan Center staff page.
