Agenda

Course Activity and Digital Microcredential

Each registered participant will develop one activity that employs various concepts and strategies introduced in the course. Participants will be asked to complete assignments between the course segments that support the learning objectives and will receive feedback and constructive critique from the instructors on how to improve and shape their work. Participants who successfully complete the entire activity will receive an EDUCAUSE digital microcredential recognizing their accomplishment.

Schedule and Assignments

Session 1: Understanding Digital Access and Your Current Institutional Context

July 8, 2020, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

Session 1 will explore why digital accessibility is essential for inclusive campuses, foundational components of digital accessibility programs within higher education settings, and strategies to assess current readiness and support capabilities.

Outcomes

  • Understand accessibility terminology and articulate the value of digital accessibility initiatives
  • Identify basic components of a digital accessibility program
  • Contextualize relevant stakeholder groups and explore ways to advance efforts at your institution

Assignments

  • Activity: Articulate the need for digital accessibility effort to different audiences.
  • Exercise: Find relevant stakeholders within your campus context.
  • Individual: Take steps toward initiating stakeholder activity on your campus or finding how your work can complement existing initiatives to improve digital accessibility.


Session 2: Accessibility in a Time of Rapid Change

July 15, 2020, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

Session 2 will demonstrate key components of effective and accessible online learning experiences and digital communications, helping participants to quickly deploy guidance to a variety of institutional audiences.

Outcomes

  • Understand how accessibility fits into crisis communications
  • Identify common accessibility requirements in online learning
  • Develop quick resources you can share across your organization to meet a variety of stakeholders’ needs

Assignments

  • Breakout Groups: Outline major guidance items for a specific unit in need of accessibility support from a group member’s home institution.
  • Large Group: Compile breakout group guidance and organize by audience.
  • Individual: Adapt the accessibility guide from your breakout group for an unrelated unit at your home institution.

Session 3: What’s Next: Developing an Action Plan

July 22, 2020, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

Session 3 will help you develop an action plan of strategies and tactics to prepare your institution to provide accessible opportunities in times of change.

Outcomes

  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in your institution’s digital accessibility capability
  • Identify accessibility challenges associated with current and future crisis-driven changes in higher education
  • Develop and prioritize an action plan based on risk, institutional strategies, and challenges
  • Identify key players, resources, engagement, and communication strategies

Assignments

  • Identify your institution’s existing digital accessibility policies/processes prior to the session.
  • Breakout groups: Review and discuss crisis impacts on digital accessibility and equal opportunity in higher education.
  • Develop 2–4 near-term actions for your institution.