Ann (she/her) is a queer settler with disabilities who is passionate about increasing awareness of accessible pedagogy to include disabled learners. She has been working and teaching in higher education at colleges and universities in Ontario for 22 years. Her doctoral studies focused on the representation of tactility in Victorian literature and it is this research on the sensory and her lived experience that guides her passion and work in supporting accessible pedagogy. She has a certificate in curriculum development and instructional design and has used this training, experience, and awareness of the need for inclusive and accessible pedagogies in her work as an instructional designer, curriculum developer, and educational developer for the last 16 years.
Selected Accessibility and UDL articles and chapters
Clarke, K. & Gagné, A. (2026). Are disabled attendees welcome? Reflections on attending conferences in Canada. In. Donald, W.E. (ed.) How to Organize Inclusive Conferences and Workshops. Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/how-to-organise-inclusive-conferences-and-workshops-9781035348497.html
Gagné, A. (2023). Academic Integrity, Ableist Assessment Design, and Pedagogies of Disclosure. In Eaton, S.E. (ed) Handbook of Academic Integrity. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-079-7_134-1
Gagné, A. (2022.) Advocating for accessibility: the gap in the academic development community. International Journal for Academic Development. DOI: 10.1080/1360144X.2022.2161203
Yusun, T.J. & Gagné, A. (2021). Towards a supportive math pedagogy: Power dynamics and academic integrity considerations. Canadian Perspectives on Academic Integrity. https://doi.org/10.11575/cpai.v4i1.71341
Gagné, A. & Grimaldi, A. (2021). Designing Together from Moment to Movement: A Faculty Framework for Access Online. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design. https://edtechbooks.org/jaid_10_1/designing_together
Duc, D. & Gagné, A. (2020). Touching the Untouchable: Connecting, Ethical Caring, and Teaching During Covid 19. MAI Feminism & Visual Culture Journal. https://maifeminism.com/touching-the-untouchable-connecting-ethical-caring-and-teaching-during-covid-19/
Selected Keynotes, Workshops, and Presentations
Accessible Language Use For Educators. Yorkville University. March 23, 2026.
Understanding Accessible Pedagogy Beyond UDL. Distinguished Visiting Teaching Scholar. Trent University. February 4, 2026.
Countering Common Accessible Pedagogy Misconceptions. Transformative Teaching and Learning Retreat Keynote Workshop. Dalhousie University. June 25, 2025.
Vectors of Trust: Practicing Reciprocal Values in Challenging Times. BC Open Education Librarians. Open Education Week Keynote. March 6, 2025.
PDF Documents. Accessibility Bites. BC Campus. January 30, 2025.
“Doing” Accessibility During a Crisis of Trust. Innovations in Education Conference, MacPherson Institute, McMaster University. December 6, 2024.
Mentorship: Supporting the Future of Accessibility Through Connection . Accessible Canada: Accessible World conference. May 27, 2024.
Holistic Approaches to Accessible Pedagogy. University of Limerick. May 13, 2024.
Accessible Design Pedagogy: Possibilities and Queries. RV University. Bengaluru, India. March 27, 2024.
Accessible Pedagogical Design: Inclusion as Collaboration. Canadore College Opening Doors to Inclusive Education Symposium. Closing Keynote. February 29, 2024.
Generative AI and Accessibility: Ethical Considerations. Critical Perspectives on Equitable and Just Approaches to Student Assessment in Postsecondary Education. Centennial College. Keynote panel. February 28, 2024.
Generative AI and Accessibility Considerations for Use. AI Literacy Webinar Series. University of Northern British Columbia. February 27, 2024.
Cape Breton University UTP. Trauma-Aware Pedagogy: A Holistic View. August 16, 2022
CALL Conference. Accessibility Literacy: Considerations for Inclusive Teaching and Facilitation. May 28, 2022.
PAMLA. Using Twitter for Good: Accessibility Advocacy as Public Humanities. November 21, 2021.
Digital Pedagogy Institute. Centering Needs and Possibilities for Trauma-Aware UDL Through a Discussion Group. August 10, 2021
Selected Podcast Appearances
Accessibility with Ann Gagné. In Session: Conversations on Teaching in Higher Education. January 19, 2026.
Scaling Up Accessibility in Large Classes. Podagogies: a Learning and Teaching Podcast. February 28, 2025.
Gettin’ Air with Ann Gagne. Gettin’ Air Podcast with Terry Greene. January 25, 2025.
Understanding and Evaluating Online Course Accessibility. Limed: Teaching with a Twist. November, 20, 2023.
Ep. 393, Aligning Our Values Through Accessibility with Ann Gagné. Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast. December 23, 2021.
Ethical and Accessible UDL. Think UDL Podcast. May 18, 2021.
Books and Edited Collections
Gagné, A. (2021). Embodying the Tactile in Victorian Literature: Touching Bodies/Bodies Touching. Lexington Press.
Gagné, A. (Ed.).(2021). The Canadian Precariat: Part-Time Faculty and the Higher Education System. Universitas Press.
Resources Created
Conducting an Accessibility and Inclusion Audit (Created in 2019 and updated occasionally) You can share this with your group or team but please credit where you found it. Thank you!