How the University of Maryland Implemented a Campus-Wide IT Accessibility Plan
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The University of Maryland has developed a comprehensive IT accessibility plan aimed at fostering an inclusive educational environment for individuals with disabilities. Key focus areas include web accessibility, multimedia development, e-learning tools, course redesign, and adaptive technology resources. The plan emphasizes compliance with accessibility standards and provides training, resources, and tools to enhance accessibility across all university platforms.
How the University of Maryland Implemented a Campus-Wide IT Accessibility Plan
- 1. HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IMPLEMENTED A CAMPUS-WIDE IT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN Ana Palla-Kane IT Accessibility Specialist University of Maryland www.3playmedia.co m Twitter: @3playmedia • Type questions in the window during the presentation • This webinar is being recorded & will be available for replay • To view live captions, please follow the link in the chat Susan Johnston Instructional Designer University of Maryland
- 2. University of Maryland IT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN From Design to Implementation Ana Palla-Kane & Susan Johnston Academic Technology & Innovation Division of Information Technology University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- 3. University of Maryland College Park, MD UG Students 27,443 Grad Students 10,697 Faculty 4,467 Academic staff 4,248 Admin staff 5,134 Approx. 52,000 12 academic units 60+ administrative units
- 4. UMD IT Accessibility Services Accessibility & Disability Service Office - Accommodations for qualified students - Adaptive Technology Lab and the Alternate Text Unit • Training on the use of adaptive technologies • Assistive hardware and software technologies • Technology assisted exams • Assistance in identifying/developing technology • Converting and delivering course texts and exams into Kurzweil files, audio files, large print versions, braille printouts, etc. - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Captioning, audio-description - ASL interpreters
- 5. UMD IT Accessibility Services Division of Information Technology Goal to create and maintain an inclusive educational and working environment for people of all abilities - Web Accessibility Services and Scanning Tool - Course Accessibility - Canvas tools, training and consultation - Video production and captioning service - Procedures for procurement of eTools
- 6. IT Accessibility Plan - DIT Development and Approval Process • Development as a proactive measure • DIT Leadership commitment • IT Accessibility Committee – March 2015 • Campus wide representation • Approval November 2015 • Information Technology Council • The President’s Commission on Disability Issues • UMD 3-year IT Accessibility Plan
- 7. Areas The University of Maryland IT Accessibility Plan focuses on the following strategic areas: 1. Web Accessibility 2. Multimedia Development 3. eLearning Tools 4. Course (re)design 5. Adaptive Technology Tools
- 8. 1. Web Accessibility Principles • Web accessibility standards should be widely recognized throughout the campus community • Web designers, developers and Web content managers should be able to scan and fix existing and new websites and Web applications for common accessibility guidelines Implementation • UMD Web Accessibility Standards - WCAG 2.0 AA | Dec 2016 • Pilot enterprise-wide licensed software that enables UMD users to scan websites and applications for accessibility compliance • Web accessibility plan (audit, reporting, training) • Partnership with University Relations • Training and workshops
- 9. 2. Multimedia Development Principles • Technological resources for closed captioning and audio descriptions should be made available for instructors • Academic and administrative units should make existing and new public (procured and developed) multimedia accessible when possible. Implementation • Established requirement to caption all media produced by DIT to instructors • Training and knowledge articles on how to caption • Exploring models for captioning and transcription services
- 10. 3. e-Learning tools Principles • eLearning tools (existing and new) should meet accessibility requirements for compliance. • Faculty and staff currently using eLearning tools that do not meet appropriate requirements should provided alternative tools. Implementation • Set guidelines for procuring accessible technology • Development of accessibility compliance checklist for evaluation and testing of tools and software • Identify and document alternative tools or strategies that provide similar functionality and that are compliant to replace the non- compliant tools
- 11. 4. Course (re)design Principles • Web-based (ELMS - Instructure’s Canvas Learning Management • System) instructional materials should be accessible. • Instructors should have abundant and usable resources and information to help them (re)design accessible courses. • Instructors should have abundant learning opportunities and personalized instructional design services to (re)design accessible courses. Implementation • Accessible course checklist | UX and Universal Design • Canvas Design Tool Accessibility Checker • Accessibility training of instructional designers • Consultations, workshops and trainings to faculty • Implementing University of Central Florida open source tools for CANVAS • UDOIT - Accessibility check and fixes • Quiz Extensions tool
- 12. 5. Adaptive Technology Tools Principles • Students, faculty and staff and visitors with disabilities should have equal opportunity to attend, interact and succeed through access to UMD adaptive technology resources and services Implementation • Identifying existing assistive technology tools currently being used at UMD and assess how these resources are meeting the needs for all students, faculty and staff registered with the Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) • Developing a plan for procurement, deployment and maintenance of adaptive technologies at UMD. Currently managed by ADS
- 13. Leveraging collective expertise and resources University System of Maryland IT Accessibility Guidelines | under development • Web accessibility • Accessibility of course materials and online courses • Captioning • Procurement • Library information accessibility Big Ten Academic Alliance IT Accessibility Group • Sharing best practices • Guidelines for procurement document
- 14. Actions • Determining and re-evaluating priorities • Collaborating with units across campus • Providing knowledge and awareness at all levels • Changing the view of accessibility as a financial burden • Connecting and seeking support inside and outside the university (USM, BTAA-ITAG,EDUCAUSE, NFB, others) • Focusing on our vision