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