collaboration to promote accessibility in an online environment

© 2010 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute

Collaboration to Promote Accessibility in an Online

Environment

Jackie Dutot

Carlie GebauerMay 19, 2011

© 2010 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute 2

Learning Objectives

• Learn how one university is cultivating awareness in an online world.

• Gain a better understanding of effective activities.

• Next Steps.


Creating Awareness in an Online Organization

• A story of an online university.

• Our expertise is creating awareness.


The Setting: Capella University

• 100% online.• Over 37,000 learners.• 5 schools offering 129 specializations• 12% military.• Learners in all 50 states and 52 countries.• Accredited by The Higher Learning

Commission and a member of the North

Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).• Member institution of Academic Quality Improvement Program

(AQIP).


The Plot: Where We Began

1. Access issues were reported.

2. The search for fixes led to Course Development Department.

3. Course content was improved and learner gained access.


The Plot: Where We Began

4. We decided to become proactive!

5. Reviewed and improved courses for learner.• It worked: He graduated.

6. University wide course review began.


Character: Course Development

• Course development is centralized:- Instructional designers + faculty experts =

engaging, rigorous, accessible course experiences.

- Project managers, editors, and producers contribute to accessibility.

• Using accessibility checklist, we can check our courses for major accessibility issues.


Character: University Accessibility Project

• University Accessibility Project was born.

• A cross-functional team is answering, “How accessible are we?”

• Goal: one year to evaluate situations and propose solutions.


The Plot Continues: Getting Support

• Getting support from campus leaders.- Shared real stories of learner challenges.

- Partnered with legal department.

- Researched a business case for accessibility.

- Shared external evaluation results.


The Plot Continues: Getting Support

• Tied our story to business strategies.

• Brought clear solutions.

• Asked for support, not solutions.

• Balanced the emotional pull with the business requirements.

• We talked to everyone. We networked.


Questions We Asked

• Business partners: what do you need?• Questions for vendors:

- What efforts has your company made for universal design?

- Do you have an accessibility statement?- With which assistive technologies has your

product been tested? Results?- What is your schedule for further

improvement?


Free Resources

• Borrowed a student story: WebAIM video.

• WAVE, Web Accessibility Evaluation tool.

• Web accessibility guidelines shaped a checklist for course development.

• Found how-to guidelines for creating accessible documents.

• Took every possible training online.


Measurements of Success

• Successes:- External evaluation completed.

- Internal review of departments completed.

- Accessibility expectations added to processes.

- Checklists and tools are created.



• Additional Successes:- Increased awareness.

- Staff members are interested and engaged.

- Shared ownership of providing access.

- Universal design discussions occurring.

- Funding for additional resources.


The Next Chapter

What’s your story?


Who Are Your Characters?

• Technology?

• Academic?

• Legal and policy?

• Training?


What’s Your Setting?

• Where does your content development live?

• How can you look at your delivery structure?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your issues or fears about online delivery?


Support from Campus Leaders

• What are your top access issues?

• What student stories can you share?

• What data can you dig up?

• What is the business case at your school?

• How do your school’s values align?



• Need to increase awareness?

• Want to identify gaps?

• Want to share the ownership of accessibility?

• Need checkpoints?

• Need accessibility added to course development process?


Use Free Resources

• Determine what you need:- A portable student story?- Evaluation tools?- Checklists?- How-to guidelines?- Training?- Interns? Grad students?


The Cliff’s Notes

• You don’t need:- A lot of money. - To answer every question.- A fix for every problem.

• You DO need: - Your story.- Real student stories.- Ties to your institution’s values. - To talk to anyone who will listen.


Contact Us

Jackie Dutot • [email protected]

Carlie Gebauer• [email protected]

collaboration to promote accessibility in an online environment

Documents