The California State University Accessible Technology Initiative Gerry Hanley, Ph.D. Senior Director, Academic Technology Services CSU Office of the Chancellor For EDUCAUSE 2011 10/19/2011

Why Accessibility Now? It’s the federal and state law. The digital revolution is occurring and if we do not make accessibility a requirement now, we will “enable” the institutionalization of another “Digital Divide” & another “Achievement Gap” for people with disabilities. Every Person Makes A Difference

CSU ATI Strategy System wide policy focused on continuously maturing the capabilities of the CSU to successfully respond to the educational needs of all our students A shared governance process to manage the implementation of the policy An implementation team that manages the initiative Managing communications, education/training and shared governance with multiple stakeholders Manage system wide projects for shared and priority services Manage the methods for assessing accessibility Manage business relations with vendors

Shared Understanding of What’s Good CSU ATI Policy Shared Understanding of What’s Good

Shared Understanding of What’s Important CSU ATI Policy Shared Understanding of What’s Important

Shared Understanding of Where We Are CSU ATI Policy Shared Understanding of Where We Are

Capturing UNIQUE Experiences and sharing expertise is critical IF faculty and staff on a committee talk about issues but no one listens, do the they make a sound? Capturing UNIQUE Experiences and sharing expertise is critical

Sharing How-To Stories

Learning Management Systems (LMS): Dealing with Vendors Learning Management Systems (LMS): RFP and Master Enabling Agreement Procurement had accessibility requirements Defined methodologies and performance requirements for accessibility Required demonstrations and conducted evaluation Worked with major vendors that did not meet qualifications Round 2 of RFP/MEA 2nd chance for vendors to qualify Used American Federation for the Blind as third party evaluator of accessibility

Institutionalizing Accessibility of E-textbooks California State University has an Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative http://als.csuprojects.org Principles: Choice, Affordability, Accessibility

Where to Begin? Goal: Lower Costs with Digital Rentals Separate devices & content from applications Students choose their device Faculty choose their content eReader Apps & Services: We began here Independent Shops = CourseSmart, Vital Source Follett = Café Scribe Barnes & Noble = NOOK Study Very clear requirements about accessibility to vendors in RFP – provide samples

Where Are We? 3rd party evaluation of VPATs and accessibility evaluated within user-centered scenarios Terms and Conditions will include: Defining requirements for closing accessibility gaps “Correcting” VPATs Partner with vendors Collaborate on closing accessibility gaps Developing and providing equally effective alternative access plans when gaps exist Co-develop marketing plan to highlight affordable & accessible course materials

Time Is Up Thank You! www.calstate.edu/accessibility