Taming an 8,000 lb. Gorilla or Training the CSU on Accessibility Jean Wells Accessibility Whisperer Higher Ground 2008

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. Fall Term, 2012: Instructional materials and instructional websites for all course offerings will be accessible. May 15, 2012: All websites at the CSU should fully conform to Section 508. Once again, undue burden plan requirements (as described above) apply.

Pop Quiz Who is Touched ATI Mandate? DSS? IT? Visitors Center? Registration? Library? Bookstore? Academic Technology? Human Resources? Sporting Events? Theater Productions? Testing Services? Students? Chancellor’s Office? Faculty? Student Services? All of the Above +++?

So Why Does the Gorilla Weight 8000 lbs? No Plan is In Place Resources Are Missing 44,000+ to train (faculty & staff) 3 faculty trainers for every 3000 faculty Resistance to change Staff and faculty are already overworked No budget No incentives No one knows what to train Very few even know what “Accessibility” means

What Do We Have Here?

Assessing the Situation 23 campuses began creating the same training. There is no way to aggregate the training or share resources. Very few knew where to learn how to train people or what to train them. Needed to decide who would provide training. Nothing was available that was scalable to reach the number of people needing training. No one owns the training so nothing is sustainable. No timeline has been created. Who should be involved? Who are the experts? Who will be leaders?

Where Did We Start? Gather a Team Develop Goals, Objectives, & Strategies Survey CSU for Training Developed Determine a Delivery Platform Review Training Outside the CSU (peer review) Identify Gaps & Build Needed Resources Find Partners & Knowledge Experts

Strategy for Scalable Training Examples of Scalable Teaching Lynda.com Atomic Learning Cal Poly San Luis Obispo CSUMB site Scalable Needs Available 24x7 Variety of Learning Modes (video, text, audio, etc.) Easy to navigate

If We Build It Will They Come? Incentivizing: Release Time Money Food On Demand Support Tenure Support

What About the Culture? Vision: To create a CULTURE of access for an inclusive learning and working environment. Characteristics of our Culture Mandate to Shift to this is Who We Are Bipolar Strategy – combination of top-down initiatives with bottom-up involvement Multiple Cultures (Faculty, Staff, Students Magnitude Attitude shift from “NO” to Acting Responsibly and Consciously

Elements of a Cultural Shift Ooops! Too Drastic: Resistance Too Slow: No Action Examples of a Gradual Accessibility Shifts Elevators & Ramps Captions on TV Accessible Parking Spaces Water Fountains Curb Cuts Doors

Managing Change Sharing the Ownership of Change Raising Consciousness - Facilitating Change & Self-Responsibility Marketing Communicating, Communicating, Communicating Providing Tangible Outcomes at Every Level

CSU Steps to Shifting the Culture Provide Information Conferences (CalWAC & Section 508) Regional Meetings with Teams Campus Visits Spotlight our Champions

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 Involve the World Outside Maria Shriver Justice Moreno

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 Motivational Listening

The Power of Intention (Individual Shift) Avoid resistance. Want more for others than you want for yourself. See yourself as the change you expect. Remember you can never resolve a problem by condemning it. Appreciate that which is valuable, not what is worthless. Stay conscious of your intention. Practice allowing… the path of least resistance. Key Trait: Perseverance

Ernst Mohr, President University of St. Gallen, Switzerland “Colleges and universities must spend their time inventing and planning for the future rather than defending the past. If they do not, they will end up like those frogs whose only choice is to die fast or to die slowly.”

ATI Web Site: Thank you! Jean Wells