In 1999, NC State University entered into a voluntary resolution resulting from three complaints filed from the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The resolution agreement resulted in the creation of a campus-wide IT accessibility policy, an accessibility coordinator position, and other essential accessibility resources that were relevant at the time. But what does accessibility at NC State University look like 15 (actually 17) years later? After so much time, it would be easy to fall behind or fail to maintain the established accessibility standards. In this session, Grey Reavis (University IT Accessibility Coordinator) and Rebecca Sitton (Assistive Technology Coordinator) will look at how they are creating a proactive strategy to address the current risk areas on campus. Topics will include: The history of accessibility at NC State The OCR complaints and the major initiatives that came out of them NC State's risk assessment process and current initiatives How awareness of OCR complaints influences campus climate and changes NC State's campus-wide accessibility policy Faculty training Working to make accessibility a proactive priority on campus

1. 15 YEARS AFTER AN
OCR COMPLAINT:
NC STATE’S
ACCESSIBILITY
REFRESH
Grey Reavis
University IT
Accessibility
Coordinator
NC State University
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Rebecca Sitton
Assistive Technology
Coordinator
NC State University

2. 15 Years After an OCR
Complaint: NC State
University’s
Accessibility Refresh

3. Overview
● Brief history of IT accessibility at
NC State
● Overview of our current risk
assessment process
● Examples of current
accessibility initiatives

4. What role do you have at your institution?
• Disability Services Professional
• IT Professional
• Administrator/Faculty/Staff
• Legal Professional
• Other
Poll

5. • Complaints filed with OCR by 3 students
– Comparable Computer Access
– Accessible notices, including bulletin board postings
and dormitory notices
– Accessible Course Syllabus
– Emergency warning signals and communication
devices (campus telephones)
...like it’s 1999

6. • Provide access to University notices,academic requirements,
course schedules, and syllabi comparable to other students.
• Implement a plan using Assistive Technology to ensure that
students with disabilities have access to computer hardware
and software that is comparable to other students.
• Provide access to emergency services and campus
telephones comparable to other students.
• Implement a grievance policy with respect to disability
discrimination.
Voluntary Agreement

7. • NC State established a new permanent, full
time position of Coordinator of Assistive and
Information Technology.
• NC State amended its Computer Use Policy to
establish accessibility guidelines for official
webpages.
Results of the Agreement

8. • NC State restructured Disability Services
• NC State provided funding for Assistive
Technology from Educational Technology Fees
• NC State amended its student grievance policy.
• NC State established and ADA Advisory
Committee to ensure input from students,
faculty, and administrative units regarding
disability related issues.
Results of the Agreement con’t

9. • NC State enhanced the Assistive Technology
Center in the Campus Library to include JAWS,
Kurzweil 1000, and an additional CCTV.
• IT Developers, in particular, became
increasingly aware of the need and knowledge
to implement accessibility
• Improved campus climate in regards to
accessibility.
Results of the Agreement

10. • Course Syllabus - 1999
• Grievance Policy approved and placed on website - 1999
• Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaint Procedure
- 1999
• Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities -2001
• Information and Communication Technology Accessibility-2005
Policies Initiated by the Agreement

11. • University IT Accessibility Coordinator
• University AT Coordinator
• IT Accessibility Regulation
• IT Accessibility Working Group
• Accessibility Website
• Access to automated Website Accessibility Scanning
Tool
• IT Accessibility Handbook
• IT Staff have functional knowledge of accessibility
• Captioning Grant
Lasting Results of Agreement

12. • What has changed in higher education in the
last 17 years?
17 years later...

13. • Technology Changes
• Staff Turnover
• Reorganization
• Funding
17 years later at NC State...

14. • New Coordinator
• Setting Strategic Goals for
Accessibility Office (1 year and 5
year)
• Risk Assessment
Natural Transition

15. • EDUCAUSE’s IT Accessibility Risk
Statements and Evidence
• What are we doing well?
• Where could we improve?
Risk Assessment

16. • In conjunction with ITAWG
• Starting with some visioning and
campus climate discussions
• How do we support what we are
doing well?
• How do we improve?
Goal Setting

17. • Refresh of Campus Accessibility Regulation
• Evaluation and Selection of Website
Accessibility Scanner
Priorities for IT Accessibility Working Group

18. • Simplify language
• Clarify roles and responsibilities
• Encourage more proactive measures
IT Accessibility Regulation Revision

19. IT Accessibility Regulation Revision

20. • Training
• Communications Refresh
– Accessibility.ncsu.edu
– Accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu
• Work with Purchasing on Procurement
Priorities for the Accessibility
Coordinator

21. Faculty Workshop Series

22. IT Purchase Compliance

23. Purchase Compliance Impact
• Purchases > $5000
• Set priority based on access levels
• Provide authorization and feedback
• Revision and documentation of ongoing
process

24. • Evaluate and revise on a continual basis
• Set yearly goals and priorities
• Establish working relationships with key
stakeholders on campus
Summary Points

25. Questions
sreavis@ncsu.edu
resitton@ncsu.edu

26. Q&A
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