Amelia Dickerson, Accessibility Professional, University of Colorado Boulder
Paula Vaughan, Accessibility Testing Coordinator, University of Colorado Boulder
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
There has been an Accessibility and Usability Testing Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder for approximately one year. During the past year the lab has evolved from a proof of concept to an integral part of the university’s technology environment. We will describe how we built on what works, shortcomings, and where we are now.
Abstract
There has been an Accessibility and Usability Testing Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder for approximately one year. During the past year the lab has evolved from a proof of concept to an integral part of the university’s technology environment.
We will describe
• How we built on what works
o Flexibility
o When to expand
o Process development
o Formalization of lab
• What we have now
o Robustness
o Steadier workflow
o Decisions on deliverables
o Benefits beyond target population
Keypoints
How to start simple and build strong
Identifying and dealing with shortcomings
A few nuts and bolts from the lab
Speaker Bio(s)
Amelia Dickerson
Amelia Dickerson has worked in accessibility since 2009 when a class on universal design caught her attention as a way to give everyone better access to information. Amelia's background is in psychology, sociology, and education, so she is particularly passionate about the issues surrounding who does and who does not have access to information and resources. She has worked in a variety of settings in both the corporate and academic realms. She is excited to have a chance to work in the Accessibility and Usability Testing Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder because of the exploration currently happening and a chance to work with interesting people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Paula Vaughan
Paula Vaughan began her career in IT at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1980 upon receiving her master’s degree from CU. Rising through the ranks from Systems Analyst to IT Project Manager, some of Paula's more entertaining projects included the introduction of computing to Boulder Campus' Facilities Management Department with the design and implementation of a work order cost accounting system, in-house development of CU's Acquisition Card system, the implementation of the university's first automated purchasing system, building a billing system for the student health center, the multi-campus implementation of the university's Sponsored Projects Information System, a foray into middleware architecture with CU-Boulder's Directory Services project and she finished off her career with the design and implementation of CU’s first faculty, staff, and student portal. Paula retired from CU in 2006 but the lure of the accessibility testing project has enticed Paula back to campus.
