Recognizing gaps in practice and best practices in T/L relating to digital accessibility, areas of optimal improvement were located and countered, resulting in significant positive impacts in overall accessibility in the digital space. Using a faculty incentive and training program served as the foundation for a culture of accessibility in a campus environment.
Over the last 3-5 years, an increasing focus in higher education has occurred around the topics of universal design, inclusivity, accessibility, equity, and diversity of learners. The increasingly complex digital resources incorporated both within and outside of the classroom have presented challenges towards inclusivity for faculty who are striving to make their class materials accessible to all. Additionally, content development has expanded beyond the physical or even digital classroom space, with many forms of interactivity occurring in digital public spaces where little to no accessibility considerations may have been previously considered.
Recognizing gaps both in practice as well as in best practices, a pivotal and culture-changing growth point for enhancing services to all constituents was established, supported, enacted, modified, and enhanced. The presenter (who serves as both an administrator in digital learning and also faculty) will outline several distinct case examples from multiple campuses' successful implementation of a variety of technological tools that resulted in significant positive impacts in overall accessibility of educational content in the digital space. Further, the development and support of a campus-wide faculty incentive and training program centered around digital learning best practices has laid the foundation to both shape the culture of accessibility on university-wide campus climate and also to provide metrics to assess growth in digital accessibility over time in a campus environment.