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Katie Grennell, Ph.D.

Product Engagement Manager, Blackboard Ally

Dr. Katie Grennell is the Product Engagement Manager for Blackboard Ally, a digital accessibility tool designed to help make learning content more accessible and inclusive. Much of her role is focused on increasing customer adoption and engagement of Ally across the globe, via training sessions, thought leadership, conference presentations, and more. She completed her PhD in American Studies from the University at Buffalo in 2016, her dissertation, entitled The Making of the ‘Fame Monster’: Disability Aesthetics, Bodily Deviance and Celebrity Culture. She has worked as an adjunct instructor in the disciplines of history, disability history and disability studies, American Studies, and American popular music for over 18 years at various colleges and universities. Dr. Grennell identifies as disabled, having both visible and non-apparent disabilities, and uses her lived experiences and positionality to challenge ableist notions of disability both in and outside of her work. She is the proud co-author of the book Disability and Accessibility in the Music Classroom: An Instructor’s Guide (Routledge), published September 1, 2022.

Posts by Katie Grennell, Ph.D.

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Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: The History and Impact of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

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Anthology Ally - Back to School

Three Quick Accessibility Fixes to Start the Semester Strong with Ally

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