Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. “We are the champions my friend And we'll keep on fighting to the end Cause we are the champions We are the champions No time for losers Cause we are the champions” Queen

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Finding Your Champions: Creating Accessibility Buy In Presented by: Kevin Price Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Located at… Serve 8 states in the Southeast Region AL, FL, GA, KY MS, NC, SC, TN …at Georgia Tech Southeast DBTAC

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Education Since 1991 Grant Number H133D Funding

DBTAC Mission Facilitate widespread use of accessible education-based electronic and information technology Facilitate voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Southeast DBTAC Approach Educational Leadership Team (ELT) –Finding the leaders in the field and working with them –Approach used since 1991 for ADA Network –In 2001, Accessible Information Technology aspect was added but approach didn’t change

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Cham-pi-on ('cham-pE-&n) Both a Noun and a Verb Noun: defender somebody who defends, supports, or promotes a person or cause Verb: defend to defend, support, or promote a cause or person

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Why are Accessibility Champions Needed? Peers go to trusted peers for effective dissemination of information Accessibility champions provide leadership and communicate in the same language as their peers

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Characteristics of the Champion Provides leadership Shares common values – You can’t legislate attitudes Moves forward with resources at hand Approaches challenging situations creatively Shares a sense of energy and excitement in finding new opportunities in promoting cause Connects with both peers and people outside peer group (peer pressure)

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. The Table “Busyness” rampant in society Person engaged with the accessible online education issues Giving an opportunity to be involved with their skill set

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Setting the Table Defining the issues that are important Packaging the ideas –Resources/ideas are easy to find –Easy to understand –Use different “languages”

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. New Champions: Finding People for the Table Seek out champions by listening to what they are saying and doing Use a variety of communication methods Use peers to send message Bring people with different skills and from different fields to the table Don’t know whether they are champions until at the table

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Share the values concerning accessibility for people with disabilities Family and personal disability concerns Special invitation Peer relationships/pressure Personal recognition General Motivators to the Table

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Bringing Administrators to the Table Awareness of benefits/costs Timing of involvement Receiving resources by coming to table Consistent message from peers and other reliable sources (repetition) Benefit from visible demonstration Avoiding possible future litigation

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Bringing Tech People to the Table Awareness of time required Creativity is not inhibited “Cool Factor” Administrative pressure Save from retrofitting information design in future Invested in a particular technology/program Universal Design (cell phones, slow connections, etc.)

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Bringing Service People to the Table Invitation given without “technical” jargon Show tangible benefits in high tech society Personal stories of success

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Bringing Faculty to the Table Accessibility can be achieved without degradation of learning experience Support given through peers and other sources Simple to use tools and information disseminated and available Legal responsibility communicated in tactful way

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Bringing People with Disabilities to the Table Invitation to be involved to improve own access Bring experience of day to day access Provide realization of influence in championing cause Environment for peer support

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Serving the Table Communicate with the participants on their level of understanding and experience Be sensitive to motivating factors of audience Dialogue with participants on what they need Solicit feedback and provide follow up mechanisms

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Feeding the Champion Provide resources including a point of contact Provide mechanisms for communications of new ideas. ( , newsletter, blogging, discussion lists, etc.) Develop peer/mentor relationship for discussing new ideas Provide training/ongoing meetings Continue to be sensitive to motivating factors

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Setting Multiple Tables Importance of maintaining own local table by developing future champions Be involved through networking with other organizations and internal groups Find future champions through supporters while being involved with other tables Spreads the network of champions necessary for system change

Developed by CATEA with funding from NIDRR under grant # H133D © 2005 All Rights Reserved, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA. Contact the Southeast DBTAC By telephone (v/tty) Southeast region only (v/tty) 711 (relay) By fax By By Internet Have questions?