Example 2 – Embedding Web Accessibility into the Narrative of a Given Principle, Criteria, or Standard
SACSCOC Standard 3.7 Faculty
3.7.3 The institution provides ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. (Faculty development)
Descriptions of faculty development activities and evidence that would normally be included under this principle (e.g. Faculty Orientation, Mentoring, Development Leaves, Faculty Assistance Centers...) This section can also include a narrative on how part of faculty development efforts include information and training to ensure that materials and teaching are created to be inclusive of students with disabilities. You could then use the template to organize the evidence of this statement.
Our institution engaged in training and professional development for faculty and staff to ensure that digital materials are accessible for students with disabilities (appropriate to their roles). These efforts support SACSCOC Comprehensive Standard 3.7.3. Furthermore, these activities are consistent with the Best Practices for Institution-wide Web Accessibility (see http://ncdae.org/goals/accreditation/bestpractices.php).
Specifically, our efforts in professional development support:
- Indicator #1: Institutional Vision and Leadership Commitment
- Benchmark A: The Commitment of Administrative Leadership
- Indicator #2: Policy Planning and Implementation
- Benchmarks C & D: The Existence Implementation of a Written Accessibility Plan (if the plan includes a provision for training)
- Indicator #3: Resources and Supports
- Benchmark D: Training and Technical Support
Evidence |
Description |
Supporting Documentation |
Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty Workshops | These workshops are offered each semester and focus on developing online materials. We include training and materials on web accessibility during these workshops. | A copy of the training materials are attached The attendance lists for the last 4 workshops are attached The announcement for the next workshop is available online at: www.randomwebaddress.edu |
The workshops are gaining popularity and we are considering adding a more intensive summer workshop |
| Technical Support Personnel | We have hired two new technology support people with accessibility experience who can support faculty and staff in their web accessibility efforts | Resumes of these staff are attached | Our new staff are starting to teach the existing personnel about accessibility so our pool of knowledge is growing |
| Our student Help Desk employees are required to attend the Faculty Workshops for online material development | All new and existing Help Desk staff are required to attend the workshops so that they understand the issues and can assist faculties, staff, and students who call in with questions. | A list of Help Desk employees and attendance status is attached |
Describe any evidence that is currently in development
We are in the process of creating an online resource with information on how to make webpages and other materials accessible.
*Note – there are templates specifically for developing an accessibility policy and an accessibility plan in the template document.