Rob Carr, Accessibility Coordinator, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jonathan Whiting, Director of Training and Evaluation, WebAIM
Disability Area: Topic Area:
Length of Session (in hours): 1-hr
Format: Lecture
Expertise Level: All Levels
Type of session: Not provided
Summary of Session
Take a look at how a collaborative, statewide higher education accessibility initiative in Oklahoma has begun to institutionalize accessibility. We have lots of lessons to share after completing the first year of the Web Accessibility in Higher Education Project in Oklahoma.
Abstract
The Web Accessibility in Higher Education Project (WAHEP) in Oklahoma is a truly unique accessibility initiative. The WAHEP brings together WebAIM, NCDAE, Oklahoma ABLE Tech and higher education institutions of all sizes from across the state. The shared goal: make accessibility a part of the fabric of higher education institutions.
Countless lessons and opportunities have arisen as a result of this partnership and collaboration.
Within the state, ABLE Tech is in a unique position to engage institutions about accessible digital environments. 26 Project teams, representing over 150 individual team members, are actively involved. On campuses disparate units are working together to improve web and digital accessibility. And WebAIM and NCDAE bring their considerable knowledge and experience to the table to create the foundation and support that a project like this requires.
Come hear what has worked, what we can improve and what we have all begun to learn after the first year of this five year effort.
Kepoints
Discuss outcomes from a statewide higher education accessibility initiative.
Hear about many approaches used to take on accessibility in higher ed.
Identify early barriers and opportunities using a web-based software tool from the NCDAE.
Speaker Bio(s)
Rob Carr
Rob Carr, CPACC, is the Web Accessibility Manager at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Rob provides expert guidance to the UAB University Relations team with respect to accessibility in design and development. He also collaborates with groups across campus, working toward a comprehensive and sustainable digital accessibility program. Before working at UAB, Rob led Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s technology accessibility program. There he worked with state agencies and higher education institutions across Oklahoma. Rob has also spoken about and trained on technology accessibility at events and conferences throughout the U.S., and even once in Canada. Rob still calls Oklahoma home with his wife, 2 boys, dog, and cat.
Jonathan Whiting
Jonathan Whiting is the Director of Training and Evaluation at WebAIM, a highly respected non-profit web accessibility organization based at Utah State University. His main passion is helping others learn to make the web more accessible to people with disabilities. Jonathan is also currently involved in Project GOALS, a program to assist institutions of Higher Education in improving their accessibility system-wide. With a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and ten years of experience in the field of web accessibility, Jonathan has published dozens of articles, tutorials, and other instructional resources. He has traveled extensively to train thousands of web developers and other professionals who develop or maintain web content.