Accommodations to Accessibility
A Conversation on
How Faculty Have Changed
Their Culture on One CSU Campus
Jean Wells
Accessibility Whisperer
CSUN Conference 2009
Graphic of San Jose State University
Mary Fran Breiling
Dr. Hilary Nixon
Dr. Cynthia Rostankowski
The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI)
• Vision: To create a CULTURE of access for an inclusive learning
and working environment.
• Mission: To help CSU CAMPUSES in carrying out EO926 by
developing guidelines, implementation strategies, tools and
resources.
• Principle: To apply UNIVERSAL DESIGN, an approach to the
design of products and services to be usable by the greatest number
of people including individuals with disabilities.
• Strategy: To stimulate COLLABORATION to effect changes that
will ultimately benefit all.
The “M” Word
• September 1, 2010: Implementation of an accessible
procurement process for all E&IT acquisitions less than or equal
to $15,000 to be determined by this date, following evaluation of
campus progress reports.
• May 15, 2012: All websites at the CSU should fully conform
to Section 508. Once again, undue burden plan requirements
(as described above) apply.
• Fall Term, 2012: Instructional materials and instructional
websites for all course offerings will be accessible.
From the Campuses Point of View…
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No Plan
No Resources (people, money or time)
Thousands to train (faculty & staff)
Few trainers
Resistance to change
Staff and faculty are overworked
No incentives
No one knows what to train
Very few even know what “Accessibility” means
What Do We Have Here?
Picture of a cart in front of a horse.
San Jose State
How did your campus
react to the Mandate?
Frog in pan of water with fire making
it scream.
Characteristics of the CSU Culture
• Bipolar Strategy
combination of top-down initiatives
with bottom-up involvement
• Multiple Cultures
(Faculty, Staff, Students)
• Magnitude
50,000+ in 24 locations
• Resistance
Must go from “no” to Acting
Responsibly and Consciously
San Jose State
How do you prepare for a
Cultural shift of this magnitude?
Strategy for Agents of Change
• Gather a Team
• Create a Plan (Develop Goals,
Objectives, & Strategies)
• Determine a System of
Delivery
• Identify Needed Resources
• Locate Partners &
Knowledge Experts
• Measure Your Success
San Jose State
What was your strategy
for implementing change?
Managing Change
• Sharing the Ownership of Change
• Raising Consciousness - Facilitating Change & Self-Responsibility
• Marketing
• Communicating, Communicating, Communicating
• Providing Tangible Outcomes at Every Level
San Jose State
Who would teach accessibility and be
agents of change?
What Works?
• Produce: Organize educational events
• Design: Design quality development with
learning in mind
• Cheerlead: Be available to provide
support
• Network: Encourage exchange of ideas
and materials
• Get Involvement/Build Community
• Find Shareable Resources
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Survey
Aggregate
Promote
Leaders & Ambassadors
• Use Motivational Listening
San Jose State
How did you decide to teach
accessibility to faculty?
If We Build It
Will They Come?
Incentivizing:
• Release Time
• Money
• Food
• On Demand
• Support
• Tenure Support
San Jose State
How Are You Getting People
To Show Up to Learn Accessibility?
Elements of a Cultural Shift
Ooops!
• Too Drastic: Resistance
• Too Slow: No Action
We’ve Been Here Before!
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Elevators & Ramps
Captions on TV
Accessible Parking Spaces
Water Fountains
Curb Cuts
Doors
CSU Steps to Shifting the Culture
• Provide Information
• Conferences
• Regional Meetings
• Campus Visits
• Spotlight our Champions
Faculty Spotlight on
Dr. Hilary Nixon, SJSU
Shifting the Culture (Cont’d)
• Communicated Attitudes that Increase the
Willingness to take Action
• Hilary Nixon, San Jose State University
• Increase Awareness
• Do Not Disturb Door Hanger
• Involve the World Outside
• Maria Shriver
• Justice Moreno
Keep the Vision Alive!
1.Make Aware
2.Plan
3.Evaluate
4.Develop Best Practices
5.Be Creative With Resources
6.Incentivize
7.Recognize (inside and outside)
8.Communicate
1.Market
2.Support
3.Be The Change
4.Use the Power of Intention
5.Don’t Complain or Condem
6.Stay Conscious
7.Persevere
8.Be Patient… It’s a Long Process
Thank you for coming!
Jean Wells
[email protected]
ATI Web Site at the Chancellor's Office
Professional Development for Accessible Technology