TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITYA UNIVERSITY-WIDE APPROACH
IT IS MORE THAN JUST THE LAW…
IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
IF IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY,THEN IT IS NO ONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
Awareness isn’t compliance
Historically EKU had focused most of our resources on web accessibility
Training efforts alone didn’t turn into more accessible content
The problems and their solutions are bigger than they appear
What we were doing just wasn’t working
We needed a holistic approach, that brought everyone to the table
START FROM THE TOP
Asked the President to appoint a standing council to address Technology Accessibility
Members of the Council were appointed by the President, based on their ROLE within the University
Each member of the Council represents a particular ROLE within the University
Individuals on the Council may change, but the area they represent does not change
MEMBERSHIP
AVP Information Technology Director, Services for Individuals with Disabilities
ADA Coordinator ADA Committee
Dean of Students Director, Human Resources
Director, Purchasing Director, Online Programs
University Counsel Rep. IT Desktop Support
Rep. IT Instructional Technology Rep. IT Web Team
Rep. Library Rep. Model Lab School
Rep. Student Outreach & Transition Office Rep. Faculty x 2
Rep. Students x 2
PURPOSE
To develop and foster a university-wide culture of technology accessibility, focusing on a proactive approach, rather than ad hoc responses to immediate needs.
To identify best practices and opportunities to implement them in support of all individuals who use technology.
The Technology Accessibility Council will assess the University’s regulatory compliance with ADA, as well as other legal requirements, as it relates to technology and provide direction and oversight to ensure compliance and a proactive culture of technology accessibility.
FIRST SET OF GOALS ESTABLISHED BY COUNCIL
Review existing applications, hardware and other technologies for accessibility
Evaluate our current processes and determine if they can be revised to help ensure accessibility of software, hardware, and other technology purchases
Evaluate accessibility of electronic course content
Evaluate the role money plays in accessibility, especially during lean financial times
Determine the education and training needs of the University (and the Council) on the issue of accessibility
January 24, 2012, first meeting
PLANNED WORK PRODUCTS OF THE COUNCIL
Written report on the current state of Technology Accessibility at EKU
Strategic goals for improving technology accessibility, with an implementation timeline and assessment plan for measuring progress
An education program on the issue of technology accessibility and identify strategic partners
Proposed policies and procedures to related to issue of technology accessibility
Plan for on-going review of issues and goals as technologies change
WORKGROUPS
Current State of Technology
Purchasing Process
Course Content
Education & Training
CHARGE TO WORKGROUPS
Assess EKU’s current state as it relates to your workgroup
Research and document best practices
Set goals for success and measures to assess progress
Recommend policies and/or procedures
Identify education needs and develop a plan
Identify the resources you will need to complete your work and roadblocks that exist
People, input, data, research, etc.
Determine next steps
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Their statement of purpose: Identify processes for acquisition of Technology; determine how this process may be enhanced to include Accessibility as a factor to be considered in acquisitions.
Chair, Director of Purchasing
University Counsel (**added staff member who routinely reviews contracts)
Rep. Faculty (Chair, ASL and Interpreter Education department)
**Added Library purchasing agent
**Added primary IT technology buyer
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Assess EKU’s current state as it relates to the issue(s), Roadblocks to making changes
Direct pay request instructions (currently allows software and hardware <$500)
ProCard Restrictions (currently restricts hardware only)
Library acquisitions (would like a library member on our committee since they have expanded purchasing authority)
Department/Division resistance (perceived “ease of payment”)
Potential additional processing time (additional Banner approval queue, contract review, etc.)
Additional Cost to the University for “reasonable accommodation” (interpreter, additional software, etc.)
Major University Events provide accommodations but notifying individuals with disabilities of the accommodations needs additional work.
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Research and document best practices
Cal State http://www.calstate.edu/accessibility/
Internal checklists and standardize language
Ky. Educational Purchasing Coop
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Set goals for success and measures to assess progress
University Counsel contract tracking via Footprints (tracking software)
Develop template language for speaker agreements
Develop template language for procedures (i.e. direct pay requests, procard, RFP, Bids, etc.)
Develop template language for websites and event advertisements/posters,/brochures/CEO catalog
How do we communicate with the individuals with disabilities to determine if accommodations need to be made for a particular event?
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Recommend policies and/or procedures
Template language for University documents (i.e. RFPs, Bids, etc.)
Template language and develop process for individuals with disabilities to notify of needs and/or event attendance.
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Identify education needs and develop a plan
Define “technology accessibility” and implementation costs
Template language should be basic
PURCHASING WORKGROUP
Identify the resources you will need to complete your work (people, input, data, research, etc.)
Dragon Software (live caption) Cost??
Develop FAQ on websites
Library representation/input
Develop process for individuals with disabilities to communicate attendance etc. to University (ADA contact notification) (online reservations to events with drop down option)
Flyers, etc.
PURCHASING WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
Draft template language for Event Speaker Agreement/RFP/Bids, etc.
ADA Compliance representative be consulted during planning/building of new buildings & renovation projects
Develop faculty guidelines for textbook selection
One point of contact for student/faculty/staff/community event requests for accommodations
Create Banner approval queue to review technology purchases for accessibility compliance
Purchase scanner and software for Library to enable patrons to use reference books
Include links to Federal and State laws on Purchasing and University Counsel websites
Provide guidelines/template language to include on campus event advertisements and ticketing services regarding accommodation requests See Handout for more
Details
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
Website created http://accessibility.eku.edu for one point of contact with all accessibility information in one location
Guidelines and boilerplate text provided to Printing services to be included in event promotional materials
E-textbook plan has been revised and available on disability website http://www.disabilities.eku.edu/etextbooks
Template language drafted for speaker agreement, RFP, bids, etc.
All videos produced through EKU Media are now delivered with closed captioning.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
ResNet support office has assumed responsibility for helping students with assistive technologies
Student who use adaptive technology were surveyed Spring 2013. Results will be used to direct future efforts.
Read and Write Gold is now available as Pre-packaged software for all EKU issued computers
Council participated in webinar about recent court cases and ADA updates
IT website features a support article specifically relating to alt tags on websites (http://it.eku.edu/support/cms-alt-tags)
Final Draft of the First Progress Report Complete
WHAT ARE OUR NEXT PRIORITIES?
Accessibility of course related materials
Train faculty on ADA issues and how to make their content accessible
Accountability for materials that aren’t accessible
Quality control process that includes audits and continual review
Accessibility of ALL media, regardless of where it is produced
Identify resources available for faculty and staff to make their content accessible and identify additional resources that may be needed
Training all web content authors how to use ALT tags and how to make their websites accessible
Automating and policing the accessibility of all online content
WHAT ARE OUR NEXT PRIORITIES?
Development of University Accessibility Policy, which has administrative support and is enforced
Partner with grants and contracts staff to help ensure accessibility and compliance
Expand Library ebook holdings, including etextbooks
Continue to evaluate online databases to which the University subscribes to ensure all resources are accessible
Continual review of hardware/software/other technologies for accessibility
Need centralized process for reporting and addressing accessibility issues. If there are accessibility issues, how do you make it known and where do you go to complain?
Awareness/Education campaign
NEXT GENERATION WORKGROUPS
Policy and Administrative Support
Resources & Accommodations
Awareness, Training & Education
Academic Content & Course Materials
Non-Academic Content & Materials
A QUICK LOOK BACK…
Gather support from the top and get everyone at the table
The initial focus was on assessing where we are and what are we doing now
The majority of work was accomplished by workgroups
Add other people to the workgroups as needed
Identify some quick wins and implement them NOW
A LOOK AHEAD…NOW THE FUN BEGINS
Get support from the top to ensure cooperation and accountability
Reorganize workgroups to meet the next set of challenges
Develop policies and procedures to meet compliance requirements
Identify and secure the resources necessary for success
Awareness, training, support, education, encouragement, and timelines for compliance
Once in compliance, stay in compliance. If we don’t build the processes and institutional culture that makes this a University priority, we will all be doing this again in three years.
BECAUSE IT IS MORE THAT JUST THE LAW…
IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO