The ground shook as everyone in the packed room simultaneously stomped their feet. The appreciative rumble marked the end of a presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Deanna Gagne and Hayley Broadway, a DeafBlind researcher, on how Protactile represents numerical concepts. Broadway had laid out different techniques, including how to communicate quantities by touch and time of day with a system of presses (short equals one, long equals five). 鈥淚f anybody wants to talk about all this more or has any questions, I am here all day. Please do come up to me. Put a hand on my shoulder. I will know you鈥檙e there,鈥� she said.

Who was there and how they were able to communicate was a priority for this event. The Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society 2024 Conference, held June 26-28 at Gallaudet 鈥� and hosted by Dr. Ilaria Berteletti, Program Director of the Ph.D. in Educational Neuroscience Program, and Assistant Professor Dr. Rachel Pizzie 鈥� was designed with accessibility in mind. With the support of funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF Award number: 2348499), organizers structured a schedule that would be welcoming to all.

Presenters were provided with information on working with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, making slides visually accessible, and principles of universal design. They were also asked to submit copies of their presentations ahead of time to give attendees the ability to read materials on personal devices and allow interpreters to get familiar with terminology. Attendees could make use of a low-stimulation room and a nursing room if needed, and meal breaks catered to a range of dietary restrictions.

These efforts paid off, said Berteletti, who noted that of the 394 people from around the world who came to the conference, there were 19 interpreters, 16 people who identify as Deaf or DeafBlind, three wheelchair users, and two moms who brought infants. 鈥淓ven major societies fail at making conferences accessible and being proactive about accommodations,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut attendees are so enthusiastic about this experience and many have noted how live captions have improved their experience even if they are native English speakers.鈥�

After Josefine Andin of Link枚ping University in Sweden presented on fMRI evidence about geometry in the adult signing brain, she ended up chatting with Viktor Werner of Universitat Hamburg in Germany. She had been to his presentation earlier that day on the mathematical development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Both visitors explained that typical conferences can be difficult for them to navigate because of their disabilities.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 come talk to me at conferences. They don鈥檛 see me as a researcher,鈥� said Andin, a hearing woman who uses a wheelchair. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so different here.鈥� She noted that the campus was well designed for getting around, and especially appreciated that there were multiple ramp locations. 鈥淚 can decide whether to sit in the front or the back of a room,鈥� she said.

The focus on communication was what stood out for Werner, a deaf man who uses German sign language (DGS). 鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderland here,鈥� he said. Not only were multiple interpreters always nearby, but there were also other ways for him to keep up with the material, such as the captions during presentations and the ability to review slides in advance.

They also saw that there was more interest than usual in their respective areas of research because of the presence of the Gallaudet community. For instance, Instructor Lawrence Musa, who teaches in the Business Program, was there to learn about cutting-edge research and methods that he can apply in the classroom. 鈥淭he goal is to create opportunities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals to have equal access to education, equipping them for continuous learning, personal success, and career growth in the fields of STEM and health,鈥� he said.

Musa also praised the conference鈥檚 emphasis on accessibility. At most conferences he attends, Musa needs to request interpretation and select sessions in advance. 鈥淭he organizers鈥� proactive efforts broke down barriers, ensuring that all attendees had full and equal access to the conference regardless of their session choices,鈥� added Musa, who was pleased to connect with researchers with similar interests from Germany and the University of Chicago.

Attendees complimented the conference and Gallaudet online with the hashtag #MCLS2024, which trended on X. Berteletti noted that none of this would have been possible without the professionalism of all the individuals who made it accessible. 鈥淕allaudet is a unique place where there is great expertise on accessibility and doing this at this scale could only happen here,鈥� she said.  

The MCLS board has made a commitment to continue this proactive approach with its future conferences by planning a reserved budget line specifically for communication accessibility requests. This will ensure requests won鈥檛 be treated as an afterthought, Berteletti said. Other features 鈥� such as planning meals that consider the most common food restrictions, a low stimulation room, and a nursing room for parents 鈥� will remain permanent offerings. The MCLS is also looking into publishing some guidelines for other societies on how to design conferences to be more accessible and inclusive for all.

鈥淥ur colleagues with disabilities deserve the kind of access that appropriate accommodations provide, and I’m proud of the efforts we put into designing the conference to be supportive and inclusive,鈥� Pizzie added.