1. Access360: Developing a Shared Framework to Support Institutional and System Level Change
Jess Thompson, Program Administrator
Accessible Technology Initiatives
WA State Board for Community & Tech Colleges

2. Objectives
Explore how community and technical colleges in WA State are tracking and measuring progress implementing accessible technology policies using Access360 and NCDAE’s GOALS tool.
Demonstrate how the GOALS tool helps the State Board uncover patterns in progress and barriers as the system colleges work to implement accessible technology policies and thereby improving and redirecting system support based on the data collected.

3. State Board for Community & Tech Colleges
Led by a nine-member governor-appointed board — SBCTC advocates, coordinates and directs Washington state’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges.

4. Washington CTCs About 374,000 students, roughly 150,000 FTE.
7,300 teaching faculty.
Up to 40% of FTE are in online courses.
Online enrollments continue to rise even as overall enrollment is down.

5. WA Higher Ed Accessibility Landscape
State Board Accessible Technology Policy reinforced existing legal requirements (approved March 2016).
WA State OCIO Accessible Technology Policy (approved August ) established coordinator roles and deadlines for plans (due Dec June 2017).
Both policies raised awareness and provided momentum, but increased questions (and anxiety) about how to meet requirements.
AMY

6. The State Board Challenge
Colleges needed framework and support faster than we could create it.
How to provide guidance for 34 unique “snowflakes” with different:
stages of progress regarding accessibility
governing structures
executive level support
numbers of eLearning/DSS staff
involvement from IT, Communications, etc.
AMY Cato’s Challenge
In response to SBCTC policy – we formed CATO but then the OCIO policy required quick action and results
-Shoreline already beginning the work
-Whatcom –already had a accessible IT procurement policy
-other colleges just created an Accessibility workgroup this month!
Smallest college – (Avg FTE’s students and largest has

7. The College Challenge So. Many. Silos. Fearless (go it alone) leaders
Resistant (resentful) leaders
High interest + Low power, High power + Low interest
No/limited resources

8. Jess’s Personal Challenge
“Light touch” guidance
Colleges “discover” ideas – more ownership
Get people/departments talking to each other
Platform for reaching all areas
How to define and track “progress”

9. Access360
Yearlong mentorship opportunity for cross-functional campus teams. Participation helps campuses
create (or strengthen) how their cross functional team works collaboratively to ensure successful implementation of accessibility policies;
find time, space, and a framework to develop a realistic plan;
receive scheduled support and accountability.
And we give them $5,000 - $10,000
JESS

10. 2018 Cohort 10 colleges 1,639 – 11,834 FTE (4,200 avg) 2 districts
2 colleges in 2nd year of Access360

11. Access360 Requirements Fall Winter Spring Form workgroups/teams
1st round of self study
Fall Convening
Develop workplan
Winter
Implement workplan
Campus visits
Spring
Spring Convening
2nd round of self study
Submit reflection and next year’s workplan

12. Access360 Selection Criteria
Workgroup with representation from: Information Technology, eLearning, Disability Support Services, Instruction, Public Information/Communications, and Business Affairs.
Executive level sponsorship.
Evidence of sustainable practices that support accessibility.

13. Gaining Online Accessible Learning through Self-Study (GOALS)
NCDAE’s GOALS Tool
Gaining Online Accessible Learning through Self-Study (GOALS)
Where Are You
The first section of the tool guides you through a series of questions to compare your institution against proven indicators of web accessibility.
Where You Need to Be
You are then provided detailed charts and analysis comparing your current web accessibility standing to recommended practices.
How to Get There
Finally, specific tools and resources are provided as you are guided through making a detailed plan of action to improve your web accessibility standing.

14. GOALS Indicators Commit Implement Support Assessment
Leadership Support & Stakeholder Involvement
Implement
Policy Development & Implementation Plan
Support
Allocation, Personnel, Budget, Training, Procurement
Assessment
Progress, Outcomes, Improvement

15. GOALS Self Study

16. Reports GOALS tool generates
Benchmark Report – copy of survey responses
Action Plan – broken down by indicator
Administrative Report – captures changes and progress over time.

17. Findings

18. Commit
Institution-wide web accessibility is best attained and sustained when there is leadership to support … from many levels including an institution’s governing board, administrators, and key personnel. Each must actively support, participate, and take ownership in the work and outcomes of accessibility.

19. Implement
Web accessibility requires strategic planning. Administrators must establish policies and procedures along with a systematic plan to develop, institute, and maintain web accessibility across the organization.

20. Support

21. Assessment

22. Reflecting Back & Looking Ahead
Executive level sponsorship is vital.
Reaffirmed need for centralized support around procurement and testing.
High value on peer to peer learning.

23. bit.ly/Access360Resources
Resources/Questions?
bit.ly/Access360Resources
bit.ly/Access360Roadmap
Don’t forget to provide an evaluation: