Accessibility at WCSU

Campus Notification

Fall 2021

Dear WCSU Community:

I write to you today regarding the recent approval of the CSCU Accessibility Policy for Electronic Information and Technology (EIT).

The CSCU Policy establishes EIT accessibility standards necessary to ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and laws. EIT accessibility offers significant educational benefits for people with and without disabilities as it leverages the principles of usability and Universal Design for Learning to meet the needs of all learners. As WCSU begins to implement the EIT policy, it is important to remember that this policy will help all students, it is not just a “disability” issue.

Please take the time to view the video below, produced by Media Services which explains Digital Accessibility.

WCSU increasingly utilizes technology to facilitate everything from recruitment to instruction—and we are committed to providing equal access to electronic information resources for individuals with disabilities and temporary impairments.

As we continue to incorporate EIT solutions into our university, it is imperative that we ensure access for all members of the campus community, including our students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. This is particularly relevant to purchasing and creating digital external facing content, software, and hardware with the focus on universal design, allowing all members of our community to engage with information.

WCSU is required to develop the local procedures to implement, monitor and ensure compliance with the established policy standards. This policy is extensive and complex; please read through the CSCU EIT Policy. Our focus for the first year will be on self-assessing external facing content, such as the WCSU website and purchasing software/hardware. You may be contacted to participate in a department or course self-audit or specialized training to help the university understand where we need to improve. Please support this initiative.

A Digital Accessibility Compliance Committee has been created to assist with policy implementation over the next three years. The first year, commencing in September 2021, will focus on local procedures to implement policy, implement procurement language to ensure accessibility, perform a technology self-assessment, identify a training program and create an accessibility website.

I am happy to report the committee has been hard at work developing training and resources for you. You can learn more about the policy and how to create accessible digital content online: Accessibility at WCSU. During the coming year, I would like faculty and staff to complete the following:

  1. Familiarize yourself with the policy
  2. View Digital Accessibility at WCSU
  3. Be available to assist the Compliance Committee with self-assessments, as requested
  4. View Where are we going with accessibility technology? and Game Changing Technology
  5. Participate in structured training, if invited. To view training initiatives, please visit: Training at WCSU

The implementation committee is comprised of the following individuals:

  • Jesenia Minier, Chief Diversity Officer (Co-Chair)
  • Elisabeth Morel, Director AccessAbility Services (Co-Chair)
  • Lauren Arvisais, Coordinator Tutoring Resource Center
  • Adam Brewer, Associate Professor Education & Educational Psychology
  • Christina DiCarro, Digital Services Librarian
  • Stacy Haponik, Adjunct Systems Librarian
  • Dennis Leszko, Director Center for Student Involvement
  • Leslie Lindenauer, Professor History and Director of the Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching
  • Aura Lippincott, Instructional Designer
  • Amy Lopez, Director Administrative Services
  • Ellen Myhill, Graphic & Web Designer/Photo Assistant
  • Joan Palladino, Interim Dean School of Professional Studies & Ancell School of Business
  • Jeffrey Shpunt, Manager of Digital Strategy & Communication
  • Scott Volpe, Assistant Director Media Services