Scheduled at 10:15 am in Matchless on Friday, November 15.
#39646Speaker(s)
- Mike Williamson, Assistant Director of the Digital Accessibility Office, University of Colorado Boulder
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: All Levels
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Join us for a dynamic conversation about how collaboration across higher education institutions and publishers can advance your accessibility initiatives. Explore how collaborative initiatives, like Macmillan Learning’s Accessibility Advisory Board, can unite publishers and faculty to create inclusive educational experiences. You will leave this session with strategies to build and strengthen your own accessibility partnerships.
Abstract
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, keeping pace with technological advancements can be daunting. Alone, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the rapid changes. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere among publishers and higher education institutions, we can collectively navigate accessibility challenges. Rather than operating in isolated silos, publishers, faculty, and disability office professionals can unite to promote inclusion.
In search of a way to learn from our customers and peers, Macmillan Learning built an accessibility advisory board–a community of higher education faculty and staff–who are committed to advancing accessibility at their institutions and beyond. This board is composed of advisors from diverse educational institutions across the United States. Since its inception in 2018, the advisory board has helped create accessible products that serve today’s students while meeting current accessibility guidelines. The focus of the group is to be proactive with accessibility by addressing accessibility concerns early in product development. Join us as we explore the genesis of our advisory board and the ongoing collaborative efforts to make higher education more accessible.
Keypoints
- Convey the importance of working together as a community to create the most accessible experience possible for students.
- Discuss ways that your higher education institution can collaborate with publishers.
- Showcase the accomplishments of Macmillan Learning’s Accessibility Advisory Board.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Mike Williamson
Mike has worked in the fields of accessibility, assistive technology (AT), and disability services for over 15 years. Mike has a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge. Throughout his career, Mike has worked as a certified assistive technology trainer, accessibility consultant, and director of a low vision and blindness support center.
Mike manages the digital accessibility assessment, usability, training, and outreach activities within the Digital Accessibility Office, where he oversees accessibility testing, procurement, training, and consulting efforts. Mike also teaches multiple courses in accessibility and assistive technology at California State University, Northridge.