Collaborating Toward Better IT Accessibility Kara Zirkle, IT Accessibility Coordinator Assistive Technology Initiative Office

Roles and Responsibilities CIO Deans and Directors Managers Developers Content Managers Instructional Designers Library Admin Staff Teaching Faculty What “tools” do you have in your tool belt that help build accessibility into responsibilities you may already have?

Areas of Accessibility in Higher Education Web Compliance Ex: NC State Global Accessibility Awareness Day Website Challenge Policy Ex: Example policies in higher education Procurement Ex: George Mason University Procurement – ASC Review Board Training/Awareness Ex: University of Wisconsin-Madison Web Accessibility 101 Buy-In Ex: Are you the next example?

Web Compliance Accessibility of websites Content Documents Videos Applications E-learning

Policy Do you sign off on policy? Do you help write policy? What current policies apply to you?

Procurement Do you sign off on purchases? Do you make purchases? Do you make suggestions for purchases? Do you participate in RFP or other contract meetings?

Training and Awareness If you’d ask coworkers what accessibility meant, how many different answers would you hear? When we share knowledge – we can all have a better understanding of accessibility. What does accessibility mean to you?

Accessibility Support Buy-In High Level Support Communication Consistent Language Accessibility Support

Scenario Issues: Allegations: Students were frustrated by lack of progress after 5 years, the impact of these accessibility barriers on their learning & resulting delays in graduation. Allegations: Inaccessibility of Web content and services (class assignments, live chat and discussion board, videos without captions, and an inaccessible registration system)

Lessons Learned? Identify barriers and prepare plans before EIT adoption. Accessibility can’t be automated – effective accessibility solutions require human judgment and involvement. Staff/faculty need training and services to select, author, and deliver content.

Possible Outcomes? Develop EIT Accessibility Policies and Procedures Develop Grievance Procedure Create EIT Procurement Procedure Provide University wide accessibility training Survey Students to identify barriers EIT Accessibility Audit Designate personnel for Accessibility

Is this something that could really happen? The University submitted a resolution agreement to the OCR in March 2014 which confirms the problems it needs to further address. Part of the University’s resolution agreement is a self-study examining how accessible online material is to students with disabilities. In May 2012, the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, citing various problems of accessibility on campus for students with disabilities.

Any Volunteers? Name off 3 responsibilities you have within your role. Identify where accessibility might fall into these responsibilities.

Thank you for attending! Kara Zirkle, IT Accessibility Coordinator Assistive Technology Initiative Office George Mason University Email: kzirkle1@gmu.edu Web: http://ati.gmu.edu Twitter: @AccessibleMason