You are here: Home » Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Procurement, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access » Building Your Digital Accessibility Dream Team: Identifying Who You Have, Who You Need, and Growing You Team

Building Your Digital Accessibility Dream Team: Identifying Who You Have, Who You Need, and Growing You Team

Handouts

Scheduled at 2:30pm in Matchless on Monday, November 11.

#39422

Speaker(s)

  • RaLynn McGuire, Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Vanessa Garza, Learning Experience Accessibility Specialist, University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Rachel Elliott, Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Texas at San Antonio

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 3-hr
  • Format: Interactive/Discussion
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: Pre-conference

Summary

In the presentation attendees will plan for the expansion and enhancement of their current digital accessibility teams. Attendees will identify who is on their current teams, identify critical role gaps, and develop strategic plans to fill these voids. This interactive session features opportunities for effective team audits, reviewing / creating relevant job titles and roles, and discussing real-world case studies for institutions and organizations of various sizes.

Abstract

Ensuring accessibility within higher education institutions is not just a compliance requirement but a critical component of inclusive education. "Building Your Accessibility Dream Team" is an interactive workshop designed to help attendees effectively expand and enhance their current digital accessibility teams. This session will guide participants through a comprehensive process of auditing their existing team structures, identifying key role gaps, and developing actionable strategies to address these deficiencies.

Participants will begin by evaluating their current team composition to understand the strengths and limitations within their organizational framework. This initial assessment is crucial for laying the groundwork for subsequent expansion. The workshop will provide tools and methodologies for conducting thorough team audits, which will help attendees gain a clear picture of their team’s current capabilities and areas needing improvement.

Following the audit, the session will focus on identifying critical roles that are missing from the current team. This identification process will involve reviewing and potentially creating new job titles and role descriptions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each institution. These roles are designed to fill the gaps in skills and expertise necessary to meet the evolving demands of digital accessibility.

The workshop will also incorporate discussions of real-world case studies from a variety of institutions and organizations, ranging from small colleges to large universities. These case studies will highlight successful strategies and common pitfalls encountered by other institutions while building their accessibility teams. Attendees will learn from these examples to better navigate the complexities of team expansion in their own contexts.

Keypoints

  1. Effective team audits are foundational to creating effective accessibility teams.
  2. Strategic planning is crucial for filling accessibility team gaps.
  3. Real-world case studies drive superior team-building strategies.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Procurement, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

RaLynn McGuire

Rachel Elliott, based in San Antonio, Texas, is a seasoned Teaching & Learning Consultant at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she has significantly contributed to enhancing faculty engagement and knowledge retention. With a Master of Arts in Rhetoric & Composition from Texas State University, Rachel has over four years of experience in professional development facilitation, stakeholder management, and Learning Management System (LMS) support.

At UTSA, she has implemented diverse learning methodologies aligned with emerging research trends. Rachel is skilled in developing effective training strategies that connect learning to business priorities, driving desired outcomes. She has also been instrumental in analyzing course evaluation data to improve the content and effectiveness of various initiatives, including grants and faculty development programs.

Vanessa Garza

Vanessa worked as an educator, developer, and instructional designer before developing a passion for creating accessible content in higher education. Vanessa currently focuses on training and supporting faculty to create accessible content and promote a culture of inclusive education.

Rachel Elliott

Rachel Elliott, based in San Antonio, Texas, is a seasoned Teaching & Learning Consultant at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she has significantly contributed to enhancing faculty engagement and knowledge retention. With a Master of Arts in Rhetoric & Composition from Texas State University, Rachel has over four years of experience in professional development facilitation, stakeholder management, and Learning Management System (LMS) support.

At UTSA, she has implemented diverse learning methodologies aligned with emerging research trends. Rachel is skilled in developing effective training strategies that connect learning to business priorities, driving desired outcomes. She has also been instrumental in analyzing course evaluation data to improve the content and effectiveness of various initiatives, including grants and faculty development programs.

Handout(s)