Creating a Cross-Institutional Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP) Process: CSU and CCCs – old version

Scheduled at 11:15 am in Denver 1-3 on Thursday, January 1.

Speaker(s)

• Leon McNaught, Director, Digital Accessibility and Equity, California State University
• Dawn Okinaka, Director, California Community Colleges Technology Center, California Community Colleges Technology Center
• Christine Fundell, Program Manager-Section 508, California Community Colleges Technology Center

Session Details

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

Summary

The Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP) documentation process is a core component of an articulated accessible procurement framework. Colleges can leverage the process to reduce frustration, enact alternatives, and plan for individualized accommodations.

This presentation discusses the benefits of a standardized process between the California Community Colleges and the California State University system, comprising a combined 140 colleges and over two million students.

Abstract

Determining whether an Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP) can be developed is a critical component of a fully articulated, accessible procurement process that reviews Information and Communication Technology (ICT) purchases for accessibility conformance. Most existing EEAAPs are invalid; they are not equally effective in their alternate means of access, or they are simply stating the need for individualized accommodations.

The partnership between the California Community Colleges and the California State University system aims to refine the EEAAP process to create one of three clear outcomes:

1.A true EEAAP with an equally effective and available alternate access solution 2.An alternate access solution that is not equal in means of access or availability 3.No alternate access solution, whereby college accommodation offices are informed of the ICT including barriers and the potential need to provide individualized accommodations.

The alternate access planning process identifies barriers, impacted groups of users, and suggests alternatives to accomplish a product's or system's core functions. In the CSU and CCC systems, the process is leveraged to reduce end-user frustration and communicate with stakeholders. If an EEAAP cannot be created, engaging in the process still provides information for alternate access or for anticipating the needs of specific users who may need individualized accommodations.

Join us as we address the components required to create an authentic EEAAP based on a new harmonized framework, including how to review and determine the quality of information obtained for one of three outcomes. We will also discuss the benefits of a standardized process across the California State University system and the California Community Colleges. This presentation will provide you with a fundamental understanding of how the evaluation process may result in multiple outcomes, and the ability to recognize when an EEAAP is not viable.

Keypoints

1. An EEAAP identifies barriers, impacted users and provides equal alternatives or workarounds for ICT systems
2. The process informs the outcome: EEAAP, alternate without equal availability, or accommodation.
3. CCC and CSU are developing a process to clearly delineate the three possible outcomes.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Leon McNaught

Leon McNaught is the Director of Digital Accessibility and Equity for the California State University (CSU) system. Primarily, this work involves oversight of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI), a CSU system-wide Capability Maturity Model framework to improve digital accessibility among the 23-campus CSU. ATI focuses on three priority areas: web, instructional materials, and procurement. Leon’s previous work involved ATI implementation at the campus level since 2004, most recently at Cal State LA and, prior, at CSU San Bernardino.

Leon’s other work includes accessibility consulting, and he is the Chair of the board of Blindness Support Services in Riverside, CA. Leon has worked in the field of assistive technology and accessibility in higher education for over two decades, which provides a breadth of experience in an ever-changing field.

Dawn Okinaka

Dawn Okinaka is the Director of the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center. Dawn has more than fifteen years of accessibility subject matter expertise, having worked with government agencies, technology vendors and higher education, including the California State University system, California State Department of Social Services, and the State University New York (SUNY) as an Accessibility Subject Matter Expert and trainer. Her extensive work in higher education accessibility initiatives includes developing processes, procedures and best practices related to accessible procurement, web and instructional materials for the California State University Office of the Chancellor. Dawn has been with the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center for more than three years.

Dawn has a Master of Arts in Education Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies, both from California State University, Sacramento. She also holds a Trusted Tester Certification for website testing. She is a member of professional organizations including the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, Access Technology in Higher Education and the Association on Higher Education and Disability.

Christine Fundell

Christine Fundell joined the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center as the inaugural 508 Program Manager in October 2022. Christine has been committed to accessibility in higher education for over 15 years, with focus on developing policies, procedures and best practices to ensure digital inclusion of all students, faculty and staff.