In a perfect world, everyone would have equal access to the same technology. Sacramento State can’t make the world perfect, but it is helping provide equal access to technology for all members of its campus community.
In 2006, the California State University developed the Accessible Technology Initiative and directed its 23 campuses to begin ensuring information, technology and resources were accessible to all people by 2012.
“In the past, students with disabilities had to wait to get access to technology after the fact,” says Melissa Repa, co-director of Services to Students with Disabilities. “They deserve to have equal access at the same time as other students.”
The Office of Academic Affairs and the Faculty Senate will sponsor an Accessible Technology Initiative forum 9 -10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 22, in the University Union Ballroom II. Discussions will center on the impact and implementation of the initiative. The forum is open to the campus community.
According to the Accessible Technology Initiative:
Departments must ensure new and significantly updated administrative web sites incorporate accessibility standards into the website development process.
Faculty and departments must adopt textbooks and post syllabi and reading lists early enough so materials can be provided in alternate formats, such as Braille and electronic text that can be read using assistive technologies, at the same time they are provided to other students.
Technology purchases, including web applications, hardware, software, telecommunications and multimedia products, must conform to accessibility standards or provide equally effective alternative forms of access.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but we are already starting to see improvements,” says Repa. “For instance, the University webmaster has developed web page templates that incorporate accessible technology so departments won’t have to reinvent the wheel every time they update their sites.”
Repa says about 600 students at Sacramento State have self-identified to her office as disabled, but said the actual number of disabled students is probably higher since students are not required to contact her office.
“Access to technology is important not only to students with disabilities but to the entire University,” Repa says. “It provides for a more welcoming campus and it helps us retain students by removing barriers and increasing full participation of all students.”
