Presented at 11:15am in Lakehouse on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.
#9138Speaker(s)
- Michael Cole, Educational Accessibility Technologist, Wichita State University
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
This presentation looks at the findings of a year-long university-wide review process that discovered several areas of improvements in regards to accessibility. New initiatives are being put in place and enforced at Wichita State to ensure that all facets of the collegiate learning experience are accessible to all students.
Abstract
In 2016, Wichita State University implemented a friendly review process that sought to determine any potential areas of improvement in the online course offerings. The results of this year-long process indicated that accessibility issues were pervasive and steps forward could be taken to improve matters not only in the online classroom, but in the face-to-face classroom--as well as the entire infrastructure of the campus. WSU has begun moving forward on several new initiatives to create an accessible and universally designed campus in order to meet the needs of all learners within the next few years. This presentation will look at some of the common areas that were identified as well as just what steps are being taken to improve the curriculum, campus, and culture of accessibility at WSU.
Keypoints
- All institutions, and all faculty, most likely have areas of improvement in regards to accessibility.
- What are common weaknesses and what methods can be used to identify and isolate these areas of improvement.
- What initiatives are being instituted and enforced to improve accessibility concerns campus-wide.
Disability Areas
Cognitive/Learning, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Mobility, Vision
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Administrative/Campus Policy, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Michael Cole
Michael joined the WSU Instructional Design and Technology team as a part-time contractor Instructional Designer in January 2016 and became a full-time staff member in June. He transitioned to the Educational Accessibility Tech in February 2017. Michael obtained his BA and MA in English Language and Literature at Wichita State University and is currently working on an MFA in Creative Writing.