accommodations to accessibility a conversation on how faculty have changed their culture on one csu...
TRANSCRIPT
Accommodations to Accessibility
A Conversation onHow Faculty Have Changed
Their Culture on One CSU Campus
Jean Wells
Accessibility Whisperer
CSUN Conference 2009
Mary Fran Breiling Dr. Hilary Nixon
Dr. Cynthia Rostankowski
Graphic of San Jose State University
The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI)
• Vision: To create a CULTURE of access for an inclusive learning and working environment.
• Mission: To help CSU CAMPUSES in carrying out EO926 by developing guidelines, implementation strategies, tools and resources.
• Principle: To apply UNIVERSAL DESIGN, an approach to the design of products and services to be usable by the greatest number of people including individuals with disabilities.
• Strategy: To stimulate COLLABORATION to effect changes that will ultimately benefit all.
The “M” Word
• September 1, 2010: Implementation of an accessible procurement process for all E&IT acquisitions less than or equal to $15,000 to be determined by this date, following evaluation of campus progress reports.
• May 15, 2012: All websites at the CSU should fully conform to Section 508. Once again, undue burden plan requirements (as described above) apply.
• Fall Term, 2012: Instructional materials and instructional websites for all course offerings will be accessible.
From the Campuses Point of View…
• No Plan• No Resources (people, money or time)• Thousands to train (faculty & staff)• Few trainers• Resistance to change• Staff and faculty are overworked• No incentives• No one knows what to train• Very few even know what “Accessibility” means
What Do We Have Here?
Picture of a cart in front of a horse.
San Jose StateHow did your campus react to the Mandate?
Frog in pan of water with fire making it scream.
Characteristics of the CSU Culture
• Bipolar Strategy combination of top-down initiatives with bottom-up involvement
• Multiple Cultures (Faculty, Staff, Students)
• Magnitude 50,000+ in 24 locations
• ResistanceMust go from “no” to Acting Responsibly and Consciously
San Jose StateHow do you prepare for a
Cultural shift of this magnitude?
Strategy for Agents of Change
• Gather a Team• Create a Plan (Develop Goals,
Objectives, & Strategies)
• Determine a System of Delivery• Identify Needed Resources• Locate Partners &
Knowledge Experts• Measure Your Success
San Jose StateWhat was your strategy
for implementing change?
Managing Change
• Sharing the Ownership of Change
• Raising Consciousness - Facilitating Change & Self-Responsibility
• Marketing
• Communicating, Communicating, Communicating
• Providing Tangible Outcomes at Every Level
San Jose StateWho would teach accessibility and be
agents of change?
What Works?• Produce: Organize educational events• Design: Design quality development with
learning in mind• Cheerlead: Be available to provide
support• Network: Encourage exchange of ideas
and materials• Get Involvement/Build Community• Find Shareable Resources
• Survey• Aggregate• Promote• Leaders & Ambassadors
• Use Motivational Listening
San Jose StateHow did you decide to teach
accessibility to faculty?
If We Build It Will They Come?
Incentivizing:• Release Time• Money• Food• On Demand• Support• Tenure Support
San Jose StateHow Are You Getting People
To Show Up to Learn Accessibility?
Elements of a Cultural Shift
Ooops!• Too Drastic: Resistance• Too Slow: No Action
We’ve Been Here Before!• Elevators & Ramps• Captions on TV• Accessible Parking Spaces• Water Fountains• Curb Cuts• Doors
CSU Steps to Shifting the Culture
• Provide Information• Conferences• Regional Meetings• Campus Visits
• Spotlight our Champions
Faculty Spotlight onDr. Hilary Nixon, SJSUFaculty Spotlight onDr. Hilary Nixon, SJSU
Shifting the Culture (Cont’d)
• Communicated Attitudes that Increase the Willingness to take Action• Hilary Nixon, San Jose State University
• Increase Awareness• Do Not Disturb Door Hanger
• Involve the World Outside• Maria Shriver• Justice Moreno
Keep the Vision Alive!
Thank you for coming!Jean Wells
ATI Web Site at the Chancellor's Office
Professional Development for Accessible Technology