Implementation Science: Strategies & Process to Support Assistive Technology Implementation or Accessibility Initiatives

Handouts

Presented at 8:00am in Matchless on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

#36260

Speaker(s)

  • Rachel Kruzel, Higher Education Specialist, Texthelp

Session Details

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

Summary

Implementation Science and corresponding models provide best practices and approaches to effectively roll out initiatives and change. This session will discuss these principles as it applies to adopting assistive technology through a UDL lens and/or institutional accessibility initiatives. Whether you’re just starting to implement a tool or initiative or need strategies to kickstart plans already underway, attendees will leave with resources and strategies to support their work moving forward.

Abstract

Implementation Science and the corresponding models supporting this field of work, provide best practices and approaches to effectively roll out initiatives and change within an organization. This includes the process of adoption and implementation of assistive/educational technology or campuswide accessibility initiatives. This session will discuss Implementation Science including the principles, models, and best practices as it applies to technological adoption through a Universal Design for Learning framework or an institutional accessibility initiative. Subjects and topics discussed during the session will include: The Diffusion of Innovation Model which focuses on how organizations and cultures adopt innovation or embrace change.

- The Model for Managing Complex Change which illustrates the key components for successful organizational change or adoption. A lack of any of these elements can cause specific and predictable friction during rollout.

- Research from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will provide statistics, steps, best practices around implementation.

- Effective goal setting and how this underutilized step can change the way offices and campuses work towards outcomes with the ability to measure impact.

- Strategies around advocacy to ensure financial and human capital resources are at adequate levels to ensure a positive outcome of this initiative.

- Best practices around team building and finding key players to support your initiative to maximize effective and efficient implementation.

Whether you’re just starting to implement a tool or initiative or needing strategies to kickstart plans already underway, attendees will leave with countless resources and strategies to support them moving forward. Strategies, framework, theories, and skills discussed will benefit any professional in our field now or in the future as you roll out strategic initiatives and change.

Keypoints

  1. Implementation science provides a framework for professionals as they implement initiatives on their campus.
  2. AT and accessibility initiatives can benefit from implementation science models for more effective rollout.
  3. For schools struggling with strategic initiatives, implementation science re-energizes initiatives in place.

Disability Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Educational Materials, Administrative/Campus Policy, Assistive Technology, Captioning/Transcription, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized, Universal Design for Learning, 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.

Handout(s)