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

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

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

7. 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

8. Sharing How-To Stories

9. 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

10. Institutionalizing Accessibility of E-textbooks
California State University has an Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative
Principles:
Choice, Affordability, Accessibility

11. 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

12. 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

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