Advancing the Accessibility Profession in Higher Education

Handouts Media

Presented at 10:30am in Meadowbrook I on Friday, November 17, 2017.

#10993

Speaker(s)

  • Sharon Spencer, Managing Director, International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
  • Samantha Evans, IAAP Certification Manager; AMAC Accounts & Creative Services Manager, AMAC Accessibility

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

This session discusses how the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) advances the profession for those working on accessibility initiatives in higher education. It covers professional & organizational development programs such as IAAP certifications, the IAAP Connections collaboration tool, training resources, & more.

Abstract

This session will discuss how you and your school can use the wealth of resources, education, certification, collaboration tools, network of accessibility professionals, and more to advance the skills of your accessibility professionals. These programs are available through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) to disability service offices and individuals working on accessibility initiatives in higher education.

You may be looking to achieve greater digital accessibility to support your internal and external audiences with disabilities, stand out from other colleges/universities, or achieve greater accessibility compliance and reduce risk.

IAAP can be a valuable resource for individuals and organizations already focused on accessibility or who are just starting to build their skills and strategies and are looking to achieve a more effective accessibility roadmap that serves the needs of the school, their students, employees, and community.

Keypoints

  1. Understand how IAAP provides accessibility professional development opportunities for individuals.
  2. Understand the IAAP Certification Program to date and plans for new certifications in 2018/2019.
  3. Understand the IAAP programs that support organizational accessibility development.

Disability Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Administrative/Campus Policy, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Sharon Spencer

Sharon Spencer is Managing Director of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict). She has eighteen years of experience in the accessible technology industry including seven years as Executive Vice President of Sales for Freedom Scientific. She also served for four years on the Board of Directors and as President of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA). In 2010, working as a management consultant, she managed several research projects that helped to define the foundation upon which IAAP was created. She then worked with the founding members of IAAP to build and launch the association in 2014. Prior to joining the accessibility industry, she held various sales, marketing and executive management positions at IBM and other organizations ranging from the Fortune 500 to start-ups. Ms. Spencer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics from Bucknell University.

Samantha Evans

Samantha (Sam) Evans is responsible for cultivating and maintaining current AMAC client relationships and marketing at AMAC Accessibility, as well as management of the IAAP certification process. A graduate of the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University with an MBA in Marketing, Sam began her non-profit career leading membership associations. Sam has spent her professional career helping non-profits and educational institutions develop strategies and tell their authentic and distinctive stories to build long-lasting relationships. Sam brings a background in certification, item question writing and item reviews to assist in IAAP's certification programs.

Handout(s)