Digital Accessibility - From Engineering to Educational Equity

IN THE EPISODE

In this episode, Bard MBA student Ana Caka interviews Kia Huggan, founder of Webquity, about creating accessible digital learning experiences for students with visual dyslexia and impairments. Kia shares her journey from engineering to educational technology, discussing her user-centered approach to entrepreneurship and the importance of staying mission-focused. She offers insights on balancing innovation with sustainability, thoughtfully integrating AI, and using feedback to shape better solutions, while emphasizing that "inclusion is not optional" in technology development.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2024 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes brought the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Kia Huggan:

Passionate about revolutionizing online education and fostering an inclusive learning environment, engineer and educator Kia Huggan was inspired by the accessibility challenges encountered during online learning. This led her to create Webquity, an automation tool for digital accessibility. Webquity is an innovative SaaS company dedicated to empowering neurodiverse learners through cutting-edge accessibility tools. Its first product, Digital Glasses, allows users to tailor their online experience to meet their unique needs. Driven by empathy and her own struggles with vision, Kia champions inclusion through Webquity, demonstrating that innovation often stems from compassion.

Ana Caka:

Ana was born in Greece and relocated to the United States with their family in 2012. They are of Greek and Albanian descent and are a first-generation student. Ana is a versatile professional with a strong foundation in accounting, finance, sustainability, consulting, and marketing. Currently, they serve as a Staff Accountant at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and as Marketing Manager for Webquity, a digital accessibility company, where they leverage their expertise to optimize financial performance and streamline operations.

Ana is also pursuing an MBA in Sustainability at Bard College, further enhancing their strategic and analytical skills. Based in Wethersfield, Connecticut, they are committed to continuous learning and making a positive impact on our planet and community.

Renay Loper:

Renay is a Clinical Faculty in Organizational Leadership for the Bard MBA in Sustainability, where she focuses on justice-centered transformation in the workplace. Previously, she was the Vice President of Program Innovation at PYXERA Global where she served on the Executive Leadership Team, led five country offices, drove the development of new business and programs, co-led the organization's work on inclusive circular cities, and advised corporate clients on their social impact strategies. Renay also led the organization’s ARC (Antiracist Collective) initiatives, which included internal and external efforts toward dismantling unjust systems. To this end, Renay created Rhetoric to Action, a series of conversations to bridge sectors toward collective action around social and racial justice.

Prior to PYXERA Global, Renay led the grassroots exchange and education grant portfolio at the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and has served in a variety of leadership roles in higher education, nonprofit, and business prior to that. Renay is an avid speaker and facilitator, has authored and edited numerous publications, including a resource journal, Student Affairs Professionals Cultivating Campus Climates Inclusive of International Students (Jossey Bass). Renay serves on the board of directors of nonprofits including Community Change, Harpswell Foundation, and Girl Rising.