Inclusive But Not Accessible? Integrating Accessibility and Emerging DEI Initiatives in Education

Media

Presented at 9:15am in Penrose 2 on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

Speaker(s)

• Eric Stano, Vice President, Consulting, Content, and Curriculum, Magic EdTech
• Erin Evans, Director, Accessibility Consulting and Strategic Solutions, Magic EdTech

Session Details

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

Summary

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives have been growing across learning institutions in the last 2 years - both in staff hiring and in the nature of the curriculum being taught. However, issues relative to accessibility are sometimes overlooked by those in DEI. Given that there are principled and like-minded people driving both DEI and accessibility, we believe there are opportunities for cooperation that are going unexplored. This presentation will introduce and discuss those.

Abstract

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives have been growing across institutions of learning in the last two years - both in the hiring of staff and in the nature of the curriculum being taught and the content being assigned. Chief Diversity Officer positions are being created and filled, and colleges and universities are looking for ways to create more opportunities for their employees and students by developing a more inclusive environment. However, issues relative to accessibility are sometimes overlooked by those in DEI, even in the implementation of strategies that by their very definitions are meant to consider diversity. Given that there are principled and like-minded people advancing both DEI and accessibility concerns, we believe there are opportunities for cooperation that are going unexplored. This presentation will introduce and discuss those opportunities and examine how those driving both initiatives could benefit from one another.

Keypoints

1. How to use “DE&I” initiatives to present new opportunities to advance accessibility concerns and strategies.
2. Deriving valuable perspectives and learning from “DE&I" initiatives that can apply to the A11y community.
3. Making campuses truly inclusive places through cooperation between diversity & accessibility offices.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Administrative/Campus Policy, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Eric Stano

Eric Stano is a Vice President of Consulting and Director of Content and Curriculum at Magic EdTech. As the VP of Consulting, he assists educational publishers and edtech companies in achieving their growth strategies, transforming their businesses to harness the power of technology, and manage change. As the Director of Content, Eric and his team develop and design digital content across an array of learners to help put academic success within reach of every student.

Erin Evans

Erin has worked in educational publishing for more than 20 years. She has a passion for helping others understand why providing accessible digital solutions is so important and helping them to break down the work to achieve compliance. Erin is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) through IAAP.