Josh Hori

Joshua Hori serves as the Accessible Technology Coordinator at the University of California, Davis. Within Information Education Technology and Academic Technology Services, Joshua leads efforts to enhance accommodations for faculty and staff. He has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the most impactful assistive technology tool, providing broad accessibility benefits for all users. His efforts empower faculty and staff to create inclusive teaching and learning materials tailored to diverse learning styles and accessibility needs.

Joshua's extensive career at UC Davis underscores his commitment to digital accessibility and universal design. Previously, as an Accessible Technology Analyst at the Student Disability Center, he specialized in alternate media production, web accessibility, and implementing accessible technologies beneficial to all students, particularly those with disabilities.

His expertise and advocacy reach beyond the campus. Joshua served as a technology consultant for the UC Davis MIND Institute, contributing to research on mobile applications for students with learning disabilities and autism. He also served as Assistive Technology Chair for the national Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science and Medical Education, co-authoring a significant chapter in "The Guide to Assisting Students With Disabilities: Equal Access in Health Science and Professional Education."

Joshua's notable achievements include managing the Libretexts.org Open Educational Resources (OER) textbook project. He integrated an innovative Accessibility Checker designed to guide authors through specific accessibility fixes, eliminating traditional, inefficient "hide and seek" style accessibility reporting.

Additionally, Joshua was instrumental in developing the UC Davis Tactile Audio Map, a pioneering tactile mapping solution featuring a 3D-printed map mounted onto a 43-inch LCD screen. This innovative design allows users to touch map locations, which are then announced audibly, significantly enhancing geographic data accessibility. His continued dedication positions him as a prominent leader in accessible technology and the ethical use of AI.