Scheduled at 1:30pm in Colorado I-J on Tuesday, November 12.
#39747Speaker(s)
- Rachel Kruzel, Higher Education Specialist, Texthelp
- Ann Knettler, Ed.D., Vice President, Consulting, GrackleDocs
Session Details
- Length of Session: 3-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: Pre-conference
Summary
Professionals within the AT, alt media, and digital accessibility fields face a new reality each academic year with changes to our work, issues we have to find solutions for, and new legalese we’re responsible for supporting. This session will focus on the key hot topics within our field. Through facilitated discussion, along with guidance from two tech industry experts, participants will gain tangible takeaways to bring back to campus to help support and address the challenges commonly faced.
Abstract
We live in an age where technology is expanding and evolving faster than ever before. With technological development comes opportunity, but also the potential for challenges and issues which professionals desperately seek solutions to. At any given time, there are a handful of issues that are top of mind for professionals working within the assistive technology, alternative/accessible media, and digital accessibility fields. But how do we capitalize on the insights of our peers? What are other schools doing across the country who are similar to mine? What resources are available to help me address these challenges?
This preconference session will address the key hot topics in higher education that professionals are grappling with each day along with topics that professionals commonly seek insights on. Led by former higher ed professionals turned industry experts, we’ll answer the questions above and others as it relates to these hot topics. For each, an overview of the topic along with the impact, implications, and challenges faced will be discussed. Through facilitated discussion, participants will share ideas with one another while gaining tangible guidance and resources to bring back to their campuses. Don’t worry - the experts will weigh in as well.
Hot topics will be determined throughout the summer and fall of 2024. Examples of potential topics are listed below. Attendees will be given the opportunity to help crowdsource the topics through engagement prior to November.
- Artificial intelligence
- Budgets and the process for acquiring and maintaining assistive technology
- Implementation of assistive technology
- Changes to the process of accessible media/alt media given resources available in the field
- New ADA Title II digital accessibility regulations and legalese
- Strategically planning for digital accessibility
Newbies as well as seasoned professionals will gain insights through the sharing of ideas and resources during our time together.
Keypoints
- Attendees will learn the key hot topics facing higher education during the academic year 2024-2025.
- Attendees will understand the impacts of these key issues to their institution and the field of higher ed.
- Attendees will gain tangible actions and resources to address the challenges they face at their institution.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Legal, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Rachel Kruzel
Rachel Kruzel, ATP, is the Higher Education Specialist for Texthelp where she supports higher education institutions across the United States and Canada as they explore, adopt, and implement technology based literacy, STEM, and accessibility based solutions to help create more inclusive, equitable, and accessible campuses and learning spaces for all students and campus members. She is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional and spent over ten years working as an Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist in Disability Resource Offices prior to coming to Texthelp. During her time in higher ed, she built and developed assistive technology programs at both schools she worked at, as well as coordinated the provision of accommodations. Rachel is a national expert in the areas of assistive technology, digital accessibility, accessible course materials, and accommodation provision around testing and notetaking. Rachel presents both regionally and nationally on these topics and others, as well as consults with students, parents, schools, and organizations.
Ann Knettler, Ed.D.
Dr. Ann Knettler currently serves as the Vice President of Consulting for GrackleDocs, a world leader in digital accessibility. An accessibility strategist with over 17 years of experience as an ADA and 504 Compliance Officer, Director of Disability Resources offices, and global corporate policy advisor; Ann is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant.
As a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Ann currently represents the Association as a member of the Council of Representatives for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) where she has co-authored and updated policy and standards for the entire field of higher education and currently sits on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. A published researcher, Ann regularly presents and consults globally on topics such as the depth and breadth of digital accessibility, disability rights, assessment and the use of data as an advocacy tool, disability policy and policy reform, strategic planning for organization-wide access, creating and using policy and accessibility standards, program review, ableism, and the social justice model of disability.
Ann is an active faculty member in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Public Administration Programs at Delaware State University. She received a Masters of Arts in Counseling in Higher Education with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Delaware and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University. Her dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of ableism and able-body privilege by students with disabilities in higher education and the impact that experience has on their receipt of an accessible and equitable education.