Say Yeah!

It’s TESS time! Will we see you next week at the Technology and Education Seminar and Showcase - #TESS2024? This year’s conference theme is focused on digital transformation, and we’re excited to announce that Say Yeah CEO Lee Dale will be speaking alongside the University of Waterloo’s Christine Zaza with eCampusOntario special guest Chris J Fernlund. Our session, “A Faculty Guide to Unlocking Accessibility in eLearning,” will explore practical tips for creating more accessible and inclusive online learning experiences. Digital learning can be truly transformative when it comes to accessibility and inclusion. eLearning can open up engagement for learners, setting their own pace and preferences, from font sizes to media, scaling learner support and cohort collaboration, easily updating material, and providing ongoing and searchable access to course material, templates, and other job aids. But none of this promise can be fully realized without a focus on accessibility. On Tuesday, November 5, at 2:00pm, Lee and Christine will be demystifying the steps faculty can take to bring an accessibility mindset to their work. We’re also looking forward to keynotes speakers Jennifer Wemigwans on Indigenous education online and Robert Power on educators and learners co-creating in digital learning spaces. There are too many interesting panel discussions and sessions to list, but check out the full agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gqHwp5i2 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dzvacst4 TESS never fails to be inspiring and informative – can’t wait to see you there! #TESS2024 #eLearning #Accessibility #DigitalTransformation #EducationTech #SayYeah #InclusiveLearning

It was a great pleasure to once gain participate in the International Economic Forum of the Americas's Toronto Global Forum. I highly recommend this event for leaders focused on global economic impact areas such as the future of work, DEI, technology, and sustainability. It was especially exciting to connect with changemakers and systems thinkers Hilary Kilgour, Rubeena Singh, while kicking off some ongoing learning and development conversations with Japman Bajaj, Jagdish Yadav, Ph.D., M.Biotech., Pranata Chowdhury, and reskilling for the fourth industrial revolution panelist Jamie Burton. I had the pleasure of unexpectedly running into both Valerie Fox and Rajesh Kutty, MD for the second time in the last few weeks, while connecting with Raj's colleagues and collaborators Suma Mandalapu and Shane Lakhani, and also getting to connect with HR leader Maysa Hawwash, MHRM and inspiring brand asset tamer Mariah Pelley-Smith. There's so much excellent momentum being driven by AI, untapped digital transformation opportunities, and equity and sutainability goals that are transforming the future of work. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this ongoing economic transformation in Canada and across the globe. #TorontoGlobalForum #ESG #Innovation #AI #WorkplaceDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #FinancialSustainability

Unquestionably, upskilling and digital transformation is critical to closing the producitivity gap between the US and Canadian economies. The lagging Canadian economy is a longer standing issue than even the decade before the the pandemic, but falling further behind as digital capabilities and AI increase productivity globally is a terrifying prospect. I wrote about this for TheFutureEconomy.ca in January: https://lnkd.in/gqs772Q7 I hope we can each continue to play a role in shifting this trend, Robert Luke, with more targeted and impactful approaches to learning, along with orgs like our friends at the Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures. #CanadianEconomy #Upskilling #DigitalTransformation

I love this post from Elham Arabi highlighting the weakness of content-focused courses "validated" through knowledge checks. Post highlight: "When we refer to designing ‘experiences’, this means creating conditions to actually experience something with an emotional reaction, reflect, & receive feedback by **simulating the context that the learner will be DOING the intended tasks** not READING or WATCHING lecture videos." ** emphasis mine From the comments, Mark Sheppard notes: "'learning experience designers' keep forgetting that the building block of instructional design is activity, and not content." Yep yep yep. #AdultLearning #LearningAndDevelopment #InstructionalDesign #FromKnowledgeToAction

With Elevate Festival set to kick off, I'm excited to connect with innovators in tech and social sciences while exploring priorities for the Canadian economy that I believe are rooted in upskilling and capacity building through continuous learning. Best of all, it's the chance to connect again in person with longtime colleagues, collaborators, and former workplace neighbours like Affan Imran, Aileen Schultz, Amber Mac, Arati Sharma, Danielle Brewin Graham, David Crow, Eli Singer, Eseeri M., Erin Bury, Izzy Piyale-Sheard, Karlyn Percil-Mercieca, Mathew Growden, Matthew Singh, Meg Button, Michael Nussbacher, Peter Gadzinski, Rajesh Kutty, MD, Reuven Cohen, Roy Pereira, Shavonne Hasfal-McIntosh, Yanique Williams while celebrating my incredible partner Irene M., who will join the panel discussing How to Brand Yourself Like a High Impact Company 10am Thursday, Oct 3. Join me at my braindate on Workplace Learning & Development Automation, Accessibility, and Validation at 1pm on Thursday, or catch me in the mix of what's sure to be an inspiring event! https://lnkd.in/gZC5ZKVP #ElevateFestival #InnovationConference #DigitalTransformation #EdTech

I appreciate this article from Loraine Centeno sharing the story of the Indigenous Tech Circle with quotes from Ryan St. Germaine ♾️, including: “A lot of folks said to me there aren’t any (Indigenous tech people), to which I respectfully responded ‘That’s bullsh*t’.” Many Indigenous members and companies are shared at https://lnkd.in/g7RkuwzR The full article is here: https://lnkd.in/guQevcJU #IndigenousTech #DiversityInTech #TruthAndReconciliation #IndigenousProsperity #OrangeShirtDay #PeerGroups

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. eCampusOntario will be supporting our staff to take time to learn and reflect on the significance of this day and recognize and honour the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. #NDTR We welcome you to read, listen, and watch educational content in the spirit of reconciliation. 📙 An Open Journey through Decolonization and Indigenization: https://bit.ly/3BeR45f 📙 National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): https://nctr.ca/ 📙 Orange Shirt Day: https://lnkd.in/g96T7JPv

🔊 Event Today! Voices of Trust – Businesses' Role in Reconciliation 🔊 If you're interested in exploring how businesses can contribute to reconciliation, check out today’s Voices of Trust: Businesses’ Role in Reconciliation event. Speakers include Keith Henry, Samuel Lessard, Angela Mark, Megan Spoore, and Mélanie Valcin, MA, moderated by Sara Wolfe. This event provides valuable insights on how businesses can support meaningful change and engage with Indigenous leaders to foster inclusivity. A great opportunity to learn and contribute to the reconciliation journey! To register for this free event: https://lnkd.in/g2fdcW-6 #Reconciliation #BusinessLeadership #InclusiveLearning #IndigenousVoices #CorporateSocialResponsibility #LearningForChange

🌟 Event Recap: Inclusive Design 24 🌟 Our CEO, Lee Dale, had the pleasure of attending and hosting two insightful sessions at this year’s Inclusive Design 24 (#ID24). It was an incredible event, full of rich discussions about accessibility and inclusive design methods. Here are a couple of key takeaways we wanted to share: 🔑 On Accessibility: One of the most powerful insights was the idea that simplicity is key. Trying to add features for everyone can paradoxically make your design less accessible. The truth is, nothing can be made accessible to every single person. The best approach? Do less, but do it better. Simplicity is the only way to truly improve accessibility. Amazing talk, Heydon Pickering! 🔑 On Inclusive Co-Design: A common industry ethos is that Blind people are often seen as recipients of design, not creators. But the potential is there! Chancey Fleet is empowering other Blind designers with access to tools to create tactile experiences. This shift is crucial for inclusive design, breaking barriers and rethinking what’s possible when sighted and Blind designers collaborate, like the Sensational BlackBoard: https://lnkd.in/g4yGssuY A big thank you to all the organizers and participants for fostering such important conversations. We look forward to applying these learnings to our own work at Say Yeah, helping us continue to design for inclusivity and impact. 💡 #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #ID24 #eLearning #DesignForAll

Will we see you at the Inclusive Design 24 Conference #id24 on September 12? Say Yeah CEO Lee Dale will hosting two exciting sessions: 🌟 The Folly of Chasing Demographics with presenter Heydon Pickering promises valuable insights into  designing for people with disabilities and creating more inclusive and respectful digital experiences. 3 p.m. EST (19:00 UTC) 🌟 Inclusive Methods for Co-Design Between Blind and Sighted Designers with speakers Chancey Fleet and Lauren Race will show how Blind and sighted designers can work together to create meaningful, collaborative design practices and combat ableism in the process. 4 p.m. EST  (20:00 UTC) As always there’s so many great sessions and speakers to check out, including Kaye Moors, Lizzie Hamblin, Simona Manni, Belen Barros Pena, and Wilco Fiers! Learn more about this free online event: https://lnkd.in/gZHwAy54 #id24 #InclusiveDesign #AccessibleEducation #eLearning