BEA2026: Full Schedule

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10:15am PDT

A Workshop: Audio Description - Making Media Accessible for People who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Audio Description uses words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative to convey the visual image that is not fully accessible to a significant segment of the population--in the United States alone, over 32 million people are either blind or "have trouble seeing even with correction" (American Foundation for the Blind, 2019).

This workshop will immerse participants in the possibilities for access to media for people who are blind or have low vision and others.
Moderator: Joel Snyder, Audio Description Associates, LLC-Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind

Moderators

Joel Snyder

President--Director, Audio Description Associates, LLC-Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind

How can a blind person “see” a media event or a theatrical presentation?

This workshop will demonstrate and provide practica in how audio description (AD) provides access to the arts for people who are blind. AD employs principles of visual literacy in order to make visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. AD provides access... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W304

Interactive Media & Emerging Technologies, Workshop | BEA, Workshop | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Workshop

11:30am PDT

From Policy to Practice: Supporting Students with Mental Disabilities

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W304

This panel examines faculty and institutional responsibilities to students with mental disabilities—including bipolar disorder, autism, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia—under ADA Titles II/III and Section 504. Panelists discuss evidence-based supports for severe conditions; accessible course design and reasonable accommodations; crisis-response and referral practices; and confidentiality considerations (FERPA). The session highlights partnerships among institutions, faculty, and students to reduce stigma, promote inclusion, and ensure equal access consistent with disability law and campus policy.

Moderator: Glenda R. Balas, University of North Texas - Dallas
Panelists: Glenda R. Balas; Access, Inclusion, and Care: Faculty and Institutional Duties under ADA
Desiree Hill, University of Oklahoma; Leveraging Established University Programs to Support Students with Different Needs
Tony R. DeMars, Lamar University & Paul Hemenway, Lamar University; Identifying and Addressing Stress Factors with Student Media and Student Assignments
Donna J. Koskela, Pinkerton Academy; Accommodations that Matter: Case Examples, Pitfalls, and Best Practices

Moderators

Glenda Balas

Professor, University of North Texas - Dallas

Dr. Glenda Balas is a Professor in Communication and Technology at the University of North Texas at Dallas. She was formerly Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UNT Dallas; Professor and Chair of the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of New Mexico; and Chair... Read More →

Speakers

Tony DeMars

Professor, Department of Communication and Media, Lamar University

BEA Past President. Previous service with BEA includes past convention program chair, elected positions in multiple interest divisions, leadership roles in the Festival of Media Arts, District 5 Board Representative, and Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Radio and Audio Media.

Paul Hemenway

Lamar University

Donna Koskela, M.Ed.

Faculty, Pinkerton Academy

Desiree Hill

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, University of Oklahoma

All things students!
Trauma, journalism research.
North American Hub leader of Journalism Education Trauma Research Group (JETREG)
Broadcast journalism, producing, storytelling, media management

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W304

Law & Policy, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

12:45pm PDT

Learning Through Experimentation: Students Share How AI Shapes Media, Ethics, and Creativity — and Prepares Them for Journalism Careers

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

W304

This student-led panel showcases how future journalists are learning to navigate artificial intelligence in media production. Students from JMS 495: Artificial Intelligence in Media Production share lessons from hands-on experimentation with AI and reflect on how the course prepared them for journalism careers.

Their projects explore enduring issues: recognizing limitations like hallucinations, avoiding over-reliance, harnessing AI-enhanced creativity, and examining ethical and business implications.

Rather than focusing on specific platforms, the panel highlights critical skills, adaptability, and ethical frameworks that will remain vital as journalism continues to evolve alongside AI.
Moderator: Shawn Montano, University of Northern Colorado
Panelists: Gregory Edward Egbert, University of Northern Colorado
Kinsley Walker, University of Northern Colorado
Jaylen Lee, University of Northern Colorado

Moderators

Shawn Montano

Assistant Professsor, University of Northern Colorado

Shawn has a passion for video editing, storytelling, and teaching. In 2018 he joined the University of Northern Colorado’s Journalism and Media Studies program. He teaches News Production, Video Production, Digital Storytelling, Media Writing & Media Management. In his 20-year career... Read More →

Speakers

Jaylen Lee

Anchor/ Reporter, University of Northern Colorado

UNC senior student-athlete and aspiring anchor/reporter with hands-on experience in anchoring, reporting, and storytelling. Passionate about connecting with people and bringing energy on camera.

Kinsley Walker

Student, University of Northern Colorado

Kinsley is the executive producer of Bear News, the host and producer of the Bear in Mind podcast, a social media director for Her Campus UNCO and a writer for The Mirror

Gregory Egbert

Director of Content, Bear News, University of Northern Colorado

Greg Egbert is a Senior at the University of Northern Colorado, pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in economics.
He is one of the recipients of the 2025 Denver Press Club's Damon Runyon Scholarships and recently became one of the newest Producers in Residence w... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W304

Interactive Media & Emerging Technologies, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | News, Industry Issues & Updates | AI Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates | Student Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

2:00pm PDT

Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Robotics in Broadcast Productions

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

W304

The incorporation of AI, automation, and robotics in today’s television productions is no longer optional. Integrate these technologies into your teaching and production workflows—or risk becoming obsolete. This highly visual and practical presentation explores how institutions are building converged, dynamic environments where technology fuels critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Moderator: Julian Rodriguez, University of Texas - Arlington
Panelists: Brian Wheeler, Pikes Peak State College

Moderators

Julian Rodriguez

Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Texas - Arlington

Julian Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and Coordinator of the UTA Amon G Carter Foundation Broadcast Production Studio. Julian’s teaching and research interests focus on broadcast journalism... Read More →

Speakers

Brian Wheeler

Faculty / Chair / Dungeon Master, Pikes Peak State College

Brian Wheeler has served as Department Chair of Broadcasting, Electronic, and Emerging Media at Pikes Peak State College since 2011. Before transitioning to academia in 2009, he built a career in commercial production, creating content for regional advertisers across the country... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W304

News, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Media Management & Content Strategies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Interactive Media & Emerging Technologies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

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