1. IT Accessibility Professionals are from Mars, Disability Services Professionals are from Venus
Stephanie Dawson, Associate Director, Student Disability Services
Kara Zirkle, Accessible Technology Specialist, IT Services

2. Session Overview
Review legal and historical shifts that have led to increased need for IT/DS partnerships.
Introduce the Accessible Technology Advancement (ATA) Model.
Discuss strategies and approaches to improving IT/DS partnerships on your campus.

3. Accessibility Landscape
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
ADA - Americans with Disability Act
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
ADA Amendments Act (ADAA)
CVAA – 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act
Section 508 Refresh
Accessibility Landscape
1973
1990
1998
2008
2010
2016
504: Civil rights law designed to eliminate discrimination on basis of disability
ADA: Civil rights law designed to eliminate discrimination in employment on basis of disability for state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services.
508: Requires electronic and information technology be accessible for persons with disabilities
ADAA: Updated amendments to the ADA to address concerns about disability definition, burdensome documentation requirements & mitigating measures of medication.
CVAA: increase access to modern communications for persons with disabilities
508: Updates to match modern technology and functionality. Requires electronic and information technology be accessible for persons with disabilities

4. Accessible Technology Advancement (ATA) Model
Partners
Collaborators
Allies
Adversary

5. Reactive to Proactive Reactive Policy & Procedure
Training
Marketing
Partnerships
Reactive
Accessibility Plan
Proactive
Policy & Procedure
Institutional Accessible Technology Policy
Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan
Barrier Reporting
Procurement
Vendor Relationships
OEEO Discrimination Policy
Accessibility vs. Accommodation
Central Information Management System (ex. AIM)
Web & Software Application Testing
Captioning
Alt Format to Document Remediation
Central Accessibility Center
Committees &
Work Groups
Accessible Technology Committee
Academic Affairs Workgroup
AT Symposium Committee
Process Improvement Workgroups
Partnerships
Provost
E-learning
Library
Athletics
Learning Support
Special Populations
Admissions & Enrollment
Advising
Communications & Marketing

6. Stage 1: Adversaries Characteristics Barriers Catalysts
Limited knowledge of “the others’” professional role
IT refusal to support assistive technology
DS aspires to relinquish all or most accessible tech responsibility
Professional staff with limited tech experience address accessible tech needs on ad hoc basis
Mutual distrust, blame and push of responsibility
Concern that IT is just going to take over
Barriers
Institutional leadership has low awareness of accessibility trends
IT/DS staff fatigue & aversion to new projects
DS reluctance to share information due to “confidentiality”
Salary differences (IT vs other)
Catalysts
Share information about accessible tech legal cases & best practices with institutional leadership
Realization that to provide students the best support possible, they must work together

7. Stage 2: Allies Characteristics Barriers Catalysts
Informal networks of self-identified accessibility champions who share accessible tech knowledge with university leaders
It's not just my responsibility
Buddy system during times of crisis
Hopes and Dreams of the future
Barriers
Information sharing is parallel vs. streamlined
Clear delineation of roles and responsibilities are not discussed or desired
Irrational fears about losing ownership and funding
Limited buy-in from university leaders
Catalysts
Realization of working together to share information is working smarter not harder.
Team Meetings as needed between the two offices

8. Stage 3: Collaborators Characteristics Barriers Catalysts
Formal networks begin to form with organized communication channels
Streamlined trainings and events educating around accessibility
Roles and responsibilities begin to be defined
Increased awareness in university community about accessibility
Barriers
Uneven buy-in from university leadership
University wanting more support services than can be handled (i.e. accessible courses)
Prioritizing workloads
Funding to meet demands vs needs
Catalysts
Recognize technical expertise of DS providers and explore opportunities for increased compensation
Increase human and financial resources to meet the demand

9. Stage 4: Partners Characteristics Challenges Opportunities
Equitable compensation
Unified visioning
Sharing physical and digital spaces
Collaboration to create an Accessibility Plan
Formal committees with representation and buy-in across departments
Challenges
Need more staff as offices continue to grow
Prioritizing what’s next in the Accessibility Plan
Keeping up with changing technology and accessibility challenges
Uneven team development
Hiring qualified seasoned individuals in the field
Opportunities
Building an Accessibility Center
Becoming known across campus and externally to other schools as an accessibility best practice
ENDLESS ………..

10. Questions for Consideration
What stage is your institution currently in?
What barriers are present that inhibit development?
What catalysts are realistically actionable to stimulate further development?

11. Contact Information
Stephanie Dawson
Phone:
Kara Zirkle
Phone: