View source for 10 Challenges and Solutions for ICT Accessibility in Higher Education

*'''Presenter: Janet Sylvia, WAG Coordinator and Accessibility Specialist at AMAC (c)'''
*'''10 Challenges and Real-life Solutions''' 
**'''1. Administrative Buy-in'''
***Challenge: Varies by (and within) Institutions
***Solution(s): 
****Accessibility Symposium for Administrators
****System Office Accessibility Resource Center
****Grassroots Efforts
**'''2. Communication'''
***Challenge: Accessibility Policy Needs to be Distributed to Everyone
***Solution(s): 
****Distribute via Multiple Sources
****Campus Documentation
****Accessibility Awareness Campaign
**'''3. Accessibility Requirements Apply to Everyone'''
***Challenge: Mistaken Belief Only Applies to Website Designers
***Solution(s): 
****Accessibility Policy, Statement and Resources include clearly defined Scope
*****Academic and Online Courses
*****Programs and Activities
*****Procured Goods and Services
*****Websites and Web-based Content
*****Awareness Campaigns
**'''4. Accessibility or Disability'''
***Challenge: Role of Disability Services Providers often Misunderstood
***Solution(s):
****Accessibility Policy, Statement, Resources clearly Defines Accessibility and Disability
****Disability Service Provider Websites link to (external) Accessibility Resources
****Hire Separate Staff for Accessibility and Disability Services
**'''5. Training'''
***Challenge: Training is Required for All Audiences and Skill Levels
***Solution(s):
*****Targeted Training (Academics, Procurement, Websites, etc.) for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced
*****Campus Training & Development Unit Includes Accessibility as Best Practice
*****Faculty Train Future Educators, Instructional and Web Designers in Academic Course Curriculum
**'''6. Accessible Multimedia'''
***Challenge: Requirements, Funding and Prioritization Plan
***Solution(s):
****Accessibility Policy, Statement, Resources clearly define Multimedia and Requirements
****Campus Sound Studio Requires Clients to Read from Prepared Script
****Create a Prioritization Plan and Providing Funding Options
**'''7. Accessible Textbooks'''
***Challenge: Must be Selected with Accessibility in Mind
***Solution(s):
****Ensure Faculty are Aware and Informed
****Disability Service Providers (if student is registered)
****Resources: AMAC E-Text Service (Production and Accessible Textbook Finder); Bookshare.org; Learning Ally
****Work with Publisher
**'''8. Procurement'''
***Challenge: Often Overlooked
***Solution(s): 
****Accessibility Policy, Statement, Resources includes Procurement of Goods and Services
****Targeted Training for Procurement Personnel
****Incorporate Accessibility into Discussions during Procurement Process
**'''9. Iterative Process'''
***Challenge: Accessibility is an Ongoing, Repetitive Process
***Solution(s):
****Annual Reminder
****Annual Awareness Campaign
****Annual Training
****Regular Web Audits (Quarterly, Annual Reports)
**'''10. Centralized Support'''
***Challenge: Centralized Support, Decentralized (Distributed) Environment
***Solution(s): 
****Establish a System-Wide Accessibility Resource Center; or Submit Proposal to System Office
****Share Resources: College, Campus, University, System
****Networking – WAG, other Campus or System-wide Groups