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PRESENTER GUIDE

​PRESENTATION FORMATS

All presentations will be allotted 60 minutes and will be delivered in the following formats:

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  • Workshop Sessions: Designed to incorporate proven interactive activities and exercises, these sessions prioritize speaker-audience engagement and hands-on participation. 

  • Panel Discussions: Moderated discussions of presentations addressing the literature related to different aspects of a given topic. 

  • Research Presentations: Evidence-based presentations of original research findings, as well as reviews or meta-analyses of findings from previously published research. 

  • Dialogue Sessions: Conversational-style discussions between 2–3 speakers, moderated to explore key topics and encourage audience interaction.

  • Poster Presentations: Visual displays of research, projects, or case studies presented in a dedicated session. More information about poster presentations, below.

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GUIDELINES FOR PRESENTERS

Main sessions will be livestreamed via Zoom, with live auto-captions enabled. Breakout sessions and poster presentations will take place in person and will not be streamed. However, Zoom will be used in-person during breakout sessions to generate live captions, enhancing accessibility for attendees. 

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Accessibility Best Practices 

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to making the Summit accessible to all participants. Presenters are encouraged to: 

  • Speak clearly and use microphones when available 

  • Describe all visual content (e.g., charts, images, infographics) verbally 

  • Caption all videos played during your session 

  • Use plain language whenever possible 

  • Provide accessible digital materials upon request (e.g., tagged PDFs or Word documents) 

  • Live captioning will be available for both livestreamed and in-person sessions using Zoom technology

For additional guidance, visit the University's Accessibility Resources webpage. 

 

Inclusive Design Approaches 

To further support a wide range of learning needs and engagement styles—particularly for neurodivergent students and community members—presenters are encouraged to use inclusive teaching strategies and presentation frameworks. 

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 

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UDL promotes inclusive learning by offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. In presentations, this could include: 

  • Providing content in both verbal and visual formats 

  • Allowing time for audience reflection or interaction 

  • Offering materials or summaries in advance 

 

Explore the Think UDL Podcast and Resources for practical tips and real-world examples. 

 

Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT Higher Ed) 

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The TILT Higher Ed framework emphasizes transparency in purpose, tasks, and criteria, making content and expectations more accessible—especially for neurodivergent, first-generation, and underserved learners.  When presenting, consider: 

  • Clearly stating the purpose of your session or each activity 

  • Outlining steps or expectations in simple terms 

  • Sharing how attendees can apply what they’ve learned 

 

Learn more at the TILT Higher Ed Project website. 

 

Slide Design & Font Guidelines 

Fonts 

  • Use clear, sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica 

  • Ensure all body text is at least 24-point font for readability—especially for larger rooms and virtual viewers 

  • Titles and headings should be larger (e.g., 32–44 point font or more) 

  • Avoid using all capital letters, italics, underlining, or shadows 

  • Use bold sparingly and consistently for emphasis 

 

Color and Contrast 

  • Use high-contrast color combinations (e.g., dark text on a light background) 

  • Avoid using color alone to convey meaning—use patterns, labels, or symbols in charts 

  • Check contrast using this tool 

 

Images, Tables, and Charts 

  • Use high-quality, properly credited images free of watermarks 

  • Ensure all visuals (e.g., tables, graphs) are simple, labeled, and easy to interpret 

  • Avoid overcrowding slides with too much information 

 

Slide Recommendations for In-Person Breakout Sessions 

Most breakout sessions will take place in standard classroom or conference rooms. To ensure your presentation is accessible and visually clear for attendees: 

  • Use dark text on a light background to improve visibility in well-lit rooms 
    Avoid small text—keep font sizes at least 24 pt for body text, and larger for headings 

  • Minimize the amount of content on each slide; use one main idea per slide 
    Avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning; use shapes, labels, or textures as well 

  • If your session includes visual media (e.g., video clips or demonstrations), ensure they are captioned and described verbally when relevant 

  • Consider bringing a printed copy of your key points or a simplified handout, especially for audience members who may need support following along visually 

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Poster Presentation Guidelines 

  • Posters should be designed in landscape orientation and formatted to a 16:9 aspect ratio 

  • Keep content concise—no more than 500 words recommended 
    Use a clear, logical structure with labeled sections (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) 

  • Include your poster title and presenter name(s) at the top in larger, bold text 
    Use high-quality visuals—such as charts, photos, or diagrams—to support key points 

  • All text should be readable from a distance: 

  • Title font: ~72 pt 

  • Section headings: ~36–44 pt 

  • Body text: minimum 24 pt 

  • Use accessible fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and high-contrast colors 

  • Avoid large blocks of text; use bullet points or short paragraphs 

  • Optional: Include a QR code that links to supplemental materials (e.g., full paper, contact info, or digital copy of the poster) 

  • Posters will be displayed during a dedicated in-person session, where presenters will stand with their posters and engage directly with attendees 

Sessions

DESIGNING & FACILITATING SESSIONS

Posters
Mountains

2026
NORTHERN NEVADA
DIVERSITY SUMMIT
Strong People. Strong Workforce. Strong Nevada.

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