January 2013 Sloan-C Institute Features Accessibility Webinar Series

Online educators and administrators who aim to achieve best practices in accessibility are taking note of Sloan-C's offerings in 2013, including a four part webinar series.

The accessibility focus opens with the forthcoming issue of JALN 17.1. In the article "Strategies to Increase Online Student Success for Students with Disabilities,” by Betts, Cohen, Veit, Alphin, Broadus, and Allen, videos are shared featuring students and alumni of online programs describing their own experiences learning online with disabilities and sharing recommendations for best practices. 

Sloan-C is also featuring a special issue of JALN devoted to the topic. The issue is slated for March 2013 and will be titled "Integrating Accessibility into Online Higher Education." You can learn more about the call for papers, extended to January 15 here.

Rounding out the accessibility focus will be an upcoming four part webinar series "Student and Faculty Success in Online Education" moderated by Janet Moore (Chief Knowledge Officer, Sloan Consortium) and Kristen Betts (Director of Online & Blended Learning, Armstrong Atlantic State University). Each event will feature a panel of administrative leaders, faculty and students sharing their expertise on accessibility issues in online education and is available free for all.

The series begins on January 15, 2013 at 12 pm ET with "Understanding the Law & Building Accessible Institutional Infrastructures" and includes four accessibility specialists from National Federation of the Blind, Pennsylvania State University, California Community Colleges, and EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information). Together, panelists will identify critical issues and share effective practices and resources for creating accessible institutional infrastructures that support student and faculty success in online education. A portion of the event will be devoted to attendee questions.

The January 15th panel includes:

• Mark Riccobono – Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind - Executive Director
• Bill Welsh – Pennsylvania State University Office for Disability Services - Director
• Gaeir Dietrich – California Community Colleges High Tech Center Training Unit (HTCTU)
• Norman Coombs – CEO Equal Access to Software & Information (EASI)

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people in the world today have a disability. Access to higher levels of education including certificate and degree programs that are in alignment with ADA regulations is critical for persons with disabilities. Colleges and universities need to ensure that academic programs and student services are in compliance with ADA regulations from point of first contact with marketing, admissions, matriculation and through graduation. 

Moderator Kristen Betts described her enthusiasm for Sloan-C's accessibility focus in preparation for the series, writing "It is so important that we continue to focus on student and faculty success as well as sharing effective practices that can be replicated across the United States. Having Sloan-C involved is critical to bringing increased attention to accessibility and the importance of having this become a part of the culture of online education."

Registration for the January 15th 12-1:30 pm ET webinar "Understanding the Law & Building Accessible Institutional Infrastructures" is available at http://bit.ly/UbPBkR and more information on the series is also on our website at http://sloanconsortium.org/institute/webinars/accessibility-series.