Experienced classroom and online teacher, academic administrator, and IT professional. Combining these three skill sets, I have evaluated and advised distance education programs for diverse clients in many contexts from large schools such as Harvard and Antioch University to smaller programs like Guam Community College, and even startups like Florida Polytechnic University. I have facilitated faculty training in various technology tools and pedagogical practices, and presented at numerous academic conferences on topics ranging from digital badges to ADA compliance to course template development. I am fluent in Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, Sakai, Angel, and D2L learning management systems, and have acted as LMS administrator for various schools in Canvas, Moodle, and BlackBoard.
Changes in legal requirements for IT accessibility have prompted some to pursue self-serving legal actions. To increase access to users of all abilities, colleges and universities should articulate their commitment to accessibility and focus on changing institutional culture.
Updated guidelines provide much-needed clarity and guidance about the accessibility standards that higher education must meet in order to be compliant.
Colleges and universities tend to do well providing accommodations in response to individual students with disabilities, but the proactive approach is to design all IT resources to be accessible, which benefits all users.
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