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SDD21: Creating Accessible Stem Content: Tools, Tips and Techniques
Hours: 2.25
An introduction to creating agile documents that maximize accessibility, compatibility and usability for all content. We will also discuss best practices and practical techniques for creating clear and professional technical notation that meets the demanding requirements of your new online delivery and virtual classroom environments while speeding conversions to specialized formats required by students with disabilities like braille and audio. Participants are asked to drive the discussion focus which may touch on a variety of topics including: faculty responsibility, disability laws, college accessibility policy, screen readers and other assistive technology, improving access to technical diagrams, graphs and charts, built-in accessibility checkers, Blackboard Ally and exporting more accessible tests.
A participant walks away with:
- Learning practical tools and techniques to improve the accessibility of course documents: handouts, quizzes, tests, lecture notes and practice exercises. All participants receive copies of presentation materials, summary "cheat sheet" references (one-page printable) for accessible MS Word, PowerPoint and PDF formats, as well as a comprehensive list available accessibility resources: local ACC contacts for assistance, supported software, other free tools and resources for further training and skills development.
Presenter(s):
Sean Loraas is the Accessibility Technician in ACC's Alt Text and Media Department. He has a Bachelors of Science in American Sign Language Linguistics and ASL Interpretation from the University of New Mexico and has more than 25 years experience in educational services for students with disabilities. He has worked at ACC for over 20 years, beginning in 1997 as an hourly American Sign Language Interpreter, later, in 2003 he became the Accommodations Assistant for ACC Learning Labs where his leadership brought accessibility initiatives to the Learning Labs including the development of the ASL tutoring program, a partnership with Sorenson Communications to implement a video relay system, install public video relay booths across the district, and provide all faculty and staff who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing with free video phones and video relay interpreter services. Recognizing the need for alternate format materials for students with visual disabilities at ACC, Sean began learning basic braille transcription software to provide braille tests for blind students. In 2016 he worked with Steven Christopher, Exec. Vice President of SASSR, to create the Alternative Text and Media department to fully develop alternative format production of classroom materials for students with disabilities, consult with faculty and staff about accessibility issues, research and recommend the latest assistive technology and equipment for students, faculty and staff across the district.
Sean is a 2 time recipient of the Riverside Campus Riverbat EXCELLENCE Award, and was recognized in 2015 with the UT NISOD Excellence Award and was selected by ACC as Classified Employee of the Year. ACC's Alt Text and Media department provides braille and tactile graphics according to the Braille Authority of North America standards and guidelines, Large Print, screen reader accessible and other specialized formats for students registered with SAS across the district. Sean is now producing electronic accessible materials from home during the COVID 19 pandemic, and creates tactile STEM graphics sent to students via USPS Free Matter for the Blind.
This workshop will be held online during Spring Development Day. To access the workshop, go to the Spring Development Day webpage and click the "Connect" button on the day of the conference.
If any accommodations are needed for this workshop, please email facdev@austincc.edu as soon as possible but at least five days before the workshop. Please include the name of the workshop. You will be contacted by a member of our staff to discuss your specific needs. |
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