0:00:01.717,0:00:04.313 (Michael Young) We are committed to [br]the notion that everyone 0:00:04.313,0:00:06.909 should have an opportunity to [br]participate in higher education 0:00:06.909,0:00:09.506 whether it be from the [br]learning perspective, 0:00:09.506,0:00:11.946 or the research perspective, [br] 0:00:11.946,0:00:14.386 or an opportunity to work here[br]at this institution. 0:00:14.386,0:00:16.826 We benefit from that because we get[br]to enjoy the talents and the skills 0:00:16.826,0:00:20.486 of those people who come in, [br]and also their perspective, 0:00:20.535,0:00:24.815 which in many cases will be different[br]from the perspective of others on campus. 0:00:24.835,0:00:28.835 So accessibility becomes a very[br]important value at the university. 0:00:44.941,0:00:48.265 (Tracy Mitrano) We're a leading [br]university globally. 0:00:48.265,0:00:51.589 We want the best talent in the world[br]for our students, our staff, 0:00:51.589,0:00:54.914 and our faculty. And we want to [br]be sure if that talent has a disability 0:00:54.918,0:00:57.958 that they know that we are a[br]welcoming community. 0:00:58.427,0:01:02.509 (Pablo Molino) We're competing [br]with other prestigious 0:01:02.509,0:01:06.591 and highly accomplished institutions.[br]We want to make sure that we can target 0:01:06.591,0:01:10.674 the right candidates to join our community[br]regardless of their disability status. 0:01:12.837,0:01:17.637 (Pete Siegel) We want to do everything [br]we can to ensure that they have 0:01:17.695,0:01:21.297 the same access to smart faculty, [br]to fellow students, 0:01:21.297,0:01:24.899 and to the resources at UC Davis. 0:01:24.899,0:01:27.561 (Edward Ray) In fact, [br]we genuinely believe that 0:01:27.561,0:01:30.223 excellence is achieved through diversity 0:01:30.223,0:01:32.887 and that a commitment [br]to equity and inclusion 0:01:32.887,0:01:37.048 really enriches each of our lives. 0:01:37.048,0:01:41.210 (Linda Cahill) It would be inconceivable [br]not to have a social conscience, at least, 0:01:41.372,0:01:45.982 and be completely committed to making[br]our resources at Barry University 0:01:46.089,0:01:49.189 accessible to all students. 0:01:49.778,0:01:53.970 (Edward Ray) We believe that the use [br]of technology can be very powerful. 0:01:53.970,0:01:58.162 It connects people to each other, 0:01:58.162,0:02:01.776 but it also enhances their [br]learning capabilities; 0:02:01.776,0:02:05.390 it increases what they can do through[br]their research and creative work; 0:02:05.390,0:02:09.006 it really makes it possible for them to [br]have a more powerful impact in the world 0:02:09.166,0:02:14.551 and that's basically what we're all about. 0:02:14.666,0:02:17.856 And we want that to be true [br]for every member of our community 0:02:17.915,0:02:25.985 regardless of limitations, of physical, [br]spacial, time or other dimension. 0:02:26.767,0:02:27.987 (Hernan Londono) As an IT professional, 0:02:28.020,0:02:34.880 sometimes some of us concentrate in [br]the technical side of the house only 0:02:34.902,0:02:39.022 and we forget that finally [br]the technology is to serve the people. 0:02:39.090,0:02:42.312 (Michael Young) What the university[br]offers and makes available 0:02:42.312,0:02:45.534 has to be offered to everybody. 0:02:45.534,0:02:48.756 We can't afford to waste the talents [br]or the brilliance or the minds of anybody 0:02:48.794,0:02:53.604 and making things accessible allows [br]everybody to engage in the university. 0:02:53.645,0:02:58.545 Equal opportunity is a part of our value[br]system, but it's also required by law. 0:02:58.596,0:03:02.336 (Pete Siegel) Compliance is extremely [br]important. Compliance is the law. 0:03:03.000,0:03:06.650 But that isn't the motivator [br]for most of us at universities. 0:03:06.699,0:03:12.659 Our motivation has always been[br]to provide easily accessible tools, 0:03:12.712,0:03:15.482 excellent experiences for our students 0:03:15.506,0:03:19.366 and really to give them the sense that[br]this is a place they want to be, 0:03:19.384,0:03:21.924 a place they want to learn, [br]a place where they can thrive. 0:03:31.122,0:03:34.462 (Michael Young) Universal design is a very[br]powerful concept because what it means is 0:03:34.492,0:03:40.252 we look at the issue of accessibility[br]at the outset rather than buying something 0:03:40.273,0:03:44.003 or engaging something, or developing [br]something that we have to retrofit. 0:03:44.020,0:03:46.460 Which not only makes it cheaper [br]and more efficient, 0:03:46.460,0:03:48.900 it likely makes it much better in terms[br]of both the quality of the product 0:03:48.900,0:03:51.341 and the accessibility to those... 0:03:51.375,0:03:54.325 all the people that we want [br]to be able to use it. 0:03:54.367,0:03:56.941 (Tracy Mitrano) I think the other [br]direction that colleges 0:03:56.941,0:03:59.515 and universities could and should take is 0:03:59.515,0:04:02.366 to think about accommodation[br] 0:04:02.366,0:04:05.217 as really the beginning of the[br]conversation about disability. 0:04:05.217,0:04:08.068 It was the appropriate measure[br]that was taken 0:04:08.068,0:04:10.152 in the Americans with Disabilities Act 0:04:10.152,0:04:12.238 that was passed in 1990 0:04:12.238,0:04:15.366 and that's well over a generation ago. 0:04:15.401,0:04:19.748 I think now we really have to think less [br]about how we're going to measure 0:04:19.748,0:04:24.095 specifically this accommodation [br]or that accommodation 0:04:24.095,0:04:28.444 and recognize that we can make [br]accessibility open and available 0:04:28.474,0:04:32.114 so that individual staff, faculty [br]or students 0:04:32.114,0:04:35.754 do not have to go to get an accommodation. 0:04:35.754,0:04:39.411 It will be automatically available [br]in the webpage that they visit, 0:04:39.411,0:04:43.068 in the device that they use. 0:04:43.068,0:04:45.292 (Brady Deaton) We envision a campus[br]that has a concept of universal design 0:04:45.292,0:04:47.516 in all aspects of information technology,[br]that a student is not impeded in any way, 0:04:49.780,0:04:54.542 but in fact, that technology is utilized [br]not only directly by those who benefit 0:04:54.542,0:04:59.304 because of certain challenges [br]they may have, 0:04:59.304,0:05:04.066 but also is illustrative to [br]the broader student body 0:05:04.094,0:05:06.434 and to the faculty and to alums[br]. 0:05:06.434,0:05:08.774 about what an inclusive learning [br]environment is. 0:05:08.774,0:05:11.074 (Pete Seigel) We have some things[br]we have to learn 0:05:11.074,0:05:13.374 in order to move into[br]accessibility space, 0:05:13.374,0:05:15.675 but the basic goals and the basic values[br]are things we already know and love. 0:05:15.704,0:05:18.094 Then we bring in things like [br]universal design, 0:05:18.094,0:05:21.488 the notion that if we design things[br]well right from the start, 0:05:21.488,0:05:24.882 they actually aren't more expensive. 0:05:24.882,0:05:28.276 This is something that we can fit[br]into even our very, very tight budgets. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Eileen McDonough) We make a great effort[br]in our graduate 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and our undergraduate counsel to make sure[br]that faculty and deans are aware that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in program design, in offering [br]a new major, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they take into account that [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they might have to have specialized [br]software available, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they have to build that [br]into their program development. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then to certainly just be aware[br]of all the different ways 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that students can learn, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to help faculty and deans understand [br]the concept of universal design. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Gerry Hanley) The first step really[br]needs to be an assessment 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of where we are, so we can[br]then inform our planning process, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 develop plans, implement a project, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then really assess the results of it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Pablo Molino) Key to our approach [br]to making sure that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our campus and our technology is[br]accessible to people with disabilities, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is to ensure we do this by design. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is not an afterthought that we do [br]after we have implemented a new classroom. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Instead, this is something that we do[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the initial conception [br]of a new project or idea. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The same way we do this for privacy [br]and security, [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we do this for accessibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Bruce Maas) It is less costly, [br]in the long run, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be thinking through the issues[br]of accessibility comprehensively. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Therefore, having a plan for accessibility[br]insures that from the beginning 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we think through our issues with regard[br]to the delivery of our services. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Doing so in a strategic way means that we[br]can hold down costs over the long haul 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and actually deliver better services[br]in the bargain. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Brady Deaton) It is very important that [br]a university follows 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a policy and a process 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that is a can-do kind of process. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It assumes that we are going to [br]undertake the investments that we need, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we're going to demonstrate the values[br]that we need, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that not only address the needs of[br]students who may be challenged with vision 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or hearing or other disabilities, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but also draw on the technology [br]that is not only exciting 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for those people who are [br]developing the technology, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's intellectually exciting, it provides [br]new jobs for that matter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it stimulates learning [br]in so many parts of the university. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So that attitude of the university[br]administration, [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as well as faculty and staff and students,[br]becomes very, very important 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because everyone gains from this. [br]It's a win-win situation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tracy Mitrano) A policy really is an [br]important way to go, [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because it will focus everyone's [br]attention. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's also probably the way that [br]you have to go now 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that there are legal pressures [br]on higher education in this area. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The second thing I would say about policy [br]is there are really two types in general. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One is a policy that you have [br]because you have a law, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for example, the Family Education Rights [br]Privacy Act Policy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So you want to be clear and sure that [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you're going to have compliance[br]on your campus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There's another kind of policy [br]that I would call aspirational policy 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and maybe accessibility [br]fits a little bit in both 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but you most certainly [br]can err on the aspirational side. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 An aspirational policy is something [br]you establish for your institution 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as a path moving towards something, [br]moving forward. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It does not have to have one hundred[br]percent compliance 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because it's really a direction [br]that you're setting strategically 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for your institution. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Gerry Hanley) I'd say another critical [br]aspect around our strategy is 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a shared governance strategy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because education is [br]a shared responsibility 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 across faculty, staff, students, [br]venders, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 all of us working together have to [br]share in that responsibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now, a shared governance process means[br]if you are responsible in delivering 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the service, then you have an opportunity[br]to share in governing how we're going to 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 manage the implementation [br]of these services.[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Brady Deaton) The administrators of the[br]university must reflect the values 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that demonstrate the importance [br]of this to the learning environment 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it has to be built in then[br]to every aspect of what we do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Michael Young) Right now we have [br]a number of projects and initiatives 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 underway at the UW in which [br]we're testing new technologies. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Accessibility is an important [br]consideration in these evaluations. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many of the vendors we work with[br]have completed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates[br]or VPATs, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which offer a checklist of accessibility[br]criteria and vendors' self-assessment 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as to how well they meet those criteria.[br]It's a good starting point, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we go beyond that to ask [br]a vendor specific questions 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and to test their products with [br]respect to accessibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Gerry Hanley) We begin with our vendors [br]saying (a) this is not only important 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that this is required for working[br]with the CSU. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Every student who comes into [br]our institution, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we have to provide equally effective[br]access to those services 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you are a partner in delivering[br]those services to us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So we will tell you what we need and then[br]we will help you inform your staff, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 educate your staff, provide them[br]some consultation and guidance 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in partnership with us, [br]so you can deliver the successful 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 service for us.[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Pat Burns) So we work with our vendors[br]to try to put pressure on them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to make things accessible.[br]We actually have a purchasing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 process where we work through and ask the[br]issues about accessibility for software 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and hardware that we buy as well.[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Bruce Maas) Individual efforts really [br]need to be able to scale well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If we go about things in an ad hoc [br]approach, one by one, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we're not likely to get the same results[br]as if we work together as a community 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in higher education, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to work with vendors to improve [br]accessibility for everyone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with regard to the products [br]that are offered. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That's a much more pragmatic approach[br]rather than institution by institution. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Gerry Hanley) Making accessibility [br]a priority in their development roadmap 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is going to be driven [br]by the market demand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And if an institution never says a word, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the vendor isn't going to do[br]anything about it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So if we begin to communicate our [br]demands collectively, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then the vendor will recognize [br]the market value of accessibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Joel Hartman) As we acquire IT resources, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we have to embed accessibility [br]in our contracts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As we develop resources, we have to employ[br]universal design in our thinking about how 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to make these resources available and [br]we have to continue to monitor students 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to see if we're really delivering to them [br]the resources in a form 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that they can actually use. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Michael Young) Accessibility requires [br]effort on the part of everyone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the higher education community[br]- faculty, staff, technology vendors. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If we all do our part, our institutions[br]can provide everyone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with an equal opportunity to participate.[br]And we all benefit from the perspectives 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of a diverse group. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Hernan Londonono) Having that peace[br]of mind that we are doing all we can 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to provide an accessible campus is --[br]gives us a lot of pride 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we feel very happy about what, [br]what we do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Linda Cahill) Why wouldn't we make [br]our campus accessible 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to students with disabilities and why[br]wouldn't we do everything we could 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to see the technology is accessible [br]to our students? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Tracy Mitrano) The spirit of what has [br]made higher education 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the jewel in the crown of American [br]society 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is part and parcel of the message[br]of accessibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Ed Ray) Every way in which we touch [br]the lives of others, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whether it's in the classroom, the laboratory, [br]through live performances,[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 through events on campus, we want everyone 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who comes here and creates [br]those experiences 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be as fully engaged and as fully [br]benefited 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by the activity as possible. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that simply can't be done[br]if people have artificial challenges 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or barriers to try to overcome. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Ed Ray) I would say to those out there[br]who are just getting started 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or maybe struggling to figure out [br]how to use technology to advance 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 accessibility on their campuses that 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there's no such thing as [br]a bad time to start.