Fusion Assistive Technology: For On and Off Campus Use

Media

Presented at 11:15am in Waverly on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Speaker(s)

• Melinda Colby, Sr. Director, Engagement & Success, The University of Texas at Dallas

Session Details

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

Summary

Learn about the University of Texas at Dallas' efforts to acquire, implement and market Fusion. Fusion is assistive technology for blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled individuals that incorporates JAWS and ZoomText.

Abstract

As part of The University of Texas at Dallas’ efforts to become a barrier-free campus, they purchased Fusion as an enterprise software for the institution. Fusion provides JAWS screen reader and ZoomText screen magnifier for use on university-owned computers and personal computers, whether on campus or at home, at no additional cost. This helps provide our blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled students with accommodations necessary to succeed as they progress from college to employment. It additionally serves faculty and staff by providing them with accommodations to meet the requirements of their employment.

Fusion was made available beginning in October of 2018 with a large marketing effort that aligned with the spring 2019 semester. We will share our implementation path from purchase to rollout and share feedback about how these programs have helped students, faculty, and staff. Current usage information will be included.

Keypoints

1. Provide visually impaired, blind, and learning disabled students with tools to succeed.
2. Provide tools for on-campus and in home use.
3. Implementation path from purchase to rollout.

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Vision

Topic Areas

Assistive Technology, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Melinda Colby

Melinda Colby, PMP – Sr. Director of Engagement & Success

Melinda has over 25 years of experience in higher education. As a member of the executive leadership team at the University of Texas at Dallas, she is responsible for working with campus users to get maximum value out of the institutional investment in enterprise applications and infrastructure services, as well as looking for opportunities where technology can further strategic initiatives.

Prior to UT Dallas, Melinda was the Director of the Project Management Office at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Melinda has a Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies, with emphasis on Public Administration, from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a certified Project Management Professional.