Access Hound
CAPTION: Descriptathon 11 (Feb. 25-27, 2025): When we passed the 10-year mark, and moved on to our 11th, we decided to commemorate the occasion by making the D11 trophy a departure from the painted coconuts of years past but with a "coconut" tribute, too. Sculptor and Designer Tia Oppegaard aimed to make a symbol of resilience and permanence that reflected the long-term impacts of coming together for an event such as a Descriptathon. Everyone is open to their own interpretation of the piece, but when I look at it, I imagine a low tide, and coming across something unusual sticking out of the water. It's the Descriptathon logo, embedded in a coconut seed, embedded in a sea urchin, like something that at times is underwater and at other times surfaces. I hope that this trophy symbolizes the depth, indestructibility, and long-term power of our Descriptathon. That you don't just spend a few days Descriptathoning and then go onto the next thing and never use what you learned. Our hope is that once you do a Descriptathon, you become a carrier of its messages about media accessibility. Universal Design becomes a part of who you are as a media creator, and all of your future messages can be read by all.
CREDIT: Photo by Brett Oppegaard. Sculpture by Tia Oppegaard.
Dr. Brett Oppegaard
