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Presenter(s)
Sheryl Burgstahler
Box 355670
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
206-543-0622
Email:sherylb@u.washington.edu
David Cook
Assistant Director, Enterprise Information Services
Information Technology Services
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
512-232-3782
Email:dcook@austin.utexas.edu
A growing number of institutions of higher education have developed Web accessibility policies and guidelines. Some have even developed policies for the development and procurement of other information technology. However, many still wrestle with which guidelines to use, how to test for accessibility of technology and how to develop practices that promote the use of accessible products.
Many technology access barriers faced by individuals with disabilities could be prevented, or at least minimized, if campus-wide proactive measures were established. These include effective strategic partnerships, institutional policy, and support and training. They require that the institution consider the wide range of characteristics, including disabilities, that potential students and instructors might have as software development decisions are made. When the wide range of characteristics of potential students and instructors is considered in the design and procurement of technology, they are accessible to a broad audience; just as when architects consider a wide range of characteristics of potential visitors, they design buildings that can be used by everyone, including visitors who use wheelchairs and those who are blind. Designing inclusive environments that are accessible to everyone, with and without disabilities, minimizes the need for individual accommodations.
Strategic partnerships can be developed between those who make technology planning and purchase decisions and those who are responsible for accessibility (e.g., assistive technology specialists, disability service providers). But, who should be involved, how can they organize to implement change on their campus, and what goals and evaluation schemes should be in place to further this effort?
Although much computing is now conducted in a distributed environment, the central computing services organization plays a key role in setting standards and supporting information technology on campus. However, advocates for accessible computing often report difficulties in getting the central computing organization to commit to the development and procurement of accessible technology. From the outside it can look impossible to get central computing services on a large postsecondary campus to accept accessibility as a priority.
With such a daunting task of trying to make an impact in this area on your campus, where can you begin? This panel is composed of administrators within postsecondary computing organizations will share information about the inner workings of such groups and tips for working with campus technology administrators. Questions addressed will include:
*How can the central computing organization begin the process of developing its policies, procedures, and guidelines/standards for assuring the development and of accessible information technology?
*How can those outside of the central computing organization make an impact on their policies and procedures regarding accessibility?
*How can the central computer organization be enlisted to promote campus-wide policy/guidelines for accessible technology?
*How can accessibility policy/guidelines be incorporated into other technology policy/guidelines of the central computing organization and the institution?
*What grass-roots efforts can promote accessibility policy and practice within the central computing organization?
*How can accessibility policy and guidelines be promoted throughout the central computing organization and the campus?
*How can training and support be provided?
*How can rewards be used to promote accessibility of technology?
All presenters are from central computing organizations of large postsecondary institutions. Participants will learn what always works, what rarely works and what sometimes works in implementing change within these organizations. Presenters will share promising practices that include the development of strategic partnerships, institutional policy, implementation plans, user groups and other grass-roots efforts, rewards, support, and training. Perspectives from different campuses, alternative approaches, successful and unsuccessful practices, challenges, and systemic change will be discussed. A lively discussion will be encouraged. Useful resources will be provided as well.
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