What if everything you thought you knew about accessibility was only the beginning? Too often, when we talk about accessibility in learning, the focus often lands on what one person can do. But accessibility at scale isn’t a solo effort. It’s a shared responsibility that requires alignment across teams, tools, and processes.
In this session, you’ll meet Sarah Mercier, editor and author of Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences. She will unpack universal design through the lens of her own journey, from building a foundation in digital accessibility to uncovering the hidden challenges and opportunities that reshaped her design mindset and approach.
Together, we’ll explore how shifting from individual action to collaborative strategy builds more sustainable, scalable accessibility. You’ll discover practical ways to support and advance your organization’s accessibility maturity, foster cross-functional accountability, and design learning experiences that are inclusive from the start.
You’ll leave with a fresh perspective on accessibility, inspiring you to go beyond compliance and design with empathy, innovation, and positive impact.
Learning Objectives
1. Explore the critical success factors of accessibility maturity in an organization.
2. Uncover facts that challenge the assumptions and misconceptions that often create barriers to access.
3. Prepare for change with one thing you can do right now.
sarah@buildcapable.com
https://buildcapable.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcmercier/
Sarah Mercier, MBA, CPACC, specializes in innovative learning technology and strategic implementation of learning solutions. She is an advocate for learner-centered design and is known for her ability to translate highly technical concepts and research to real-world practice.
As the CEO of Build Capable, she leads an organization that prioritizes inclusive design, equity, and accessibility in all aspects of its products and services. Sarah brings together matrix teams of training, design, and technology experts to work with organizations in a wide range of industries, from small, community nonprofits to global corporations.
Sarah is a published author and editor in a wide range of books and other training and workforce publications, including Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences, ATD’s 2020 Trends in Learning Technology, The Book of Road-Tested Activities, TD Magazine, Learning Solutions Magazine, and CLO Magazine. She is an international facilitator for the Association for Talent Development and a frequent speaker at industry conferences and business events in the areas of instructional and learning technology strategy.
Programs and Speaking History
ATD Master eLearning Instructional Designer
ATD eLearning Instructional Design Certificate
ATD Learning Technologies Certificate
ATD Microlearning Certificate
ATD Mobile Learning Certificate
ATD Essentials of Mobile Development using Adobe Captivate
ATD Essentials of Interactive eBooks
ATD TN Interactive eBooks for Mobile (workshop) & Getting Started with Mobile Learning (presentation) 2016
ASTD / ATD TechKnowledge 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
DevLearn 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Adobe Learning Summit (invitation only) 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022
Canadian eLearning Conference 2019, 2024
LDA You Oughta Know 2024
LDA Podcast: AI and Insights 2025
ATD Learn Now 2014, 2015, 2019
Adobe eLearning Conference (invitation only) 2016
Fidelity Investments Getting Started with Mobile Learning Virtual Workshop Series 2016
mLearnCon 2013, 2014, 2015
FocusOn 2016, 2017
Dana Barrett Show, 2015
eSecuritel Adobe Captivate Workshop 2014
ADL Webinar Series 2014
Adobe eLearning Community Webinar 2014
Learning Solutions 2014, 2018, 2019, 2024
ASTD Middle TN Day of Learning 2014
eLearning Engagement & Interactivity: Tips & Techniques eLearning Guild online forum 2013
CHART Regional Training Forum 2013
ATD International Conference & Expo 2013, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025
NANTeL Course Developers' Working Meeting 2013
FRB Atlanta
TrainingPros Webinar 2013
Captivate 6 for Mobile Workshop 2013
ASTD Atlanta Learning Technologies SIG 2013
ASTD Atlanta Conference & Expo 2012
ASTD Leaders Conference 2012
Atlanta Workplace Learning Radio 2012
IDIODC Videocast 2020, 2021, 2025
Learning Guild Speakerchat 2020
xAPI Cohort 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024
eLearning Foundations Online Conference 2023
Learning Science in the Real World Conference 2022
L&D On a Shoestring Online Conference 2020
ATD Intensive (Accessibility, AI) 2023, 2024
Learning DevCamp 2019, 2024, 2025
IAAP Webinar Series 2024
The Visual Lounge 2024
TechLearn 2024
Training Magazine 2025
Sample Event Recordings/ Articles/ Session Descriptions
ATD Speaker Content Page
The Learning Guild Content Page
Speaking References:
Mark Britz mbritz@elearningguild.com
Justin Brusino justin@td.org
Gourav Sinha gosinha@adobe.com
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