Thought Partner Program - Access:  Using an Inclusive Approach to Create a Welcoming Campus

When:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 10:00am-11:00am
Thursday, November 2, 2023, 10:00am-11:00am
Monday, December 4, 2023, 10:00am-11:00am

Note: Log-in instructions will be sent the day prior. If you have not received login instructions by 4:00 pm the day before the webinar, please check your spam folder, if you still have not received the login details please email nercomp@nercomp.org.

Workshop Organizers: Kirsten Behling of Tufts University

Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member: Free
Non-Member: $45

Event Overview
Does your campus provide access to an inclusive and welcoming campus for faculty, staff, and students?

Join this NERCOMP Thought Partner Program to understand better what " access " means and how you can use strategies to approach access to build an inclusive and welcoming community at your university.

Some define "access" (or accessibility) based on the Americans with Disabilities Act's definition of a disability as something “that substantially limits one or more major life functions.” This broad definition implies that the number of persons with disabilities continues to rise across the country, making it important for our higher education institutions to prioritize access to all aspects of what they offer across constituencies. Access includes the physical environment, the digital and social environments, as well as the experiences of our students to our staff and faculty.

Learn what institutions are responsible for, identify where access issues may arise, and offer best practices for how to approach them.   When we think about access, we need to extend our thinking beyond the physical environment. As more and more institutions of higher education lean into the power of digital transactions, we need to ensure that each is accessible to all. This session will provide best practices for determining if something is accessible and if not, how a developer (whether content (faculty, staff, or students) or web) can begin to incorporate access into their work. It will also share different institutional approaches to long-term access adoption plans. 

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
 - Identify the impact that disability may have on a higher education journey (including academic and non-academic aspects),
 - Understand the laws that govern access requirements in higher education,
 - Identify areas where access may be an issue,
 - Become aware of access plans,
 - Begin considering how to develop an access plan at their institution.
 - Consider a student’s digital journey throughout higher education,
 - Identify areas where access may be an issue,
 - Become aware of digital access solutions and strategies,
 - Identify resources at their institutions who may be able to assist this effort. -
 - Review an Electronic Information Technology policy designed for institutional compliance. 
 - Review different institutional approaches to inclusive access, 
 - Identify stakeholders on their campus to participate in the effort, 
 - Plan out the next six months of the institution’s access journey, 
 - Consider outside support – resources within the community. 

Note: These sessions will not be recorded. In order to be able to prioritize group connection and experience, participants will have the option to turn cameras and microphones on during the sessions. 

Registration Cancellation Policy:
By clicking on the "Order Now" button, you are indicating a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Your fee can be refunded if you notify us of a cancellation at least 1 day prior to the event via email to nercomp@nercomp.org.

Accessibility
NERCOMP strives to make its online offerings and In-person workshops accessible for all registrants.  Please contact us should you have an accessibility need. We've worked to provide resources that are accessible to as many people as possible, and if you encounter any issues while attending our events, please contact us at accessibility@nercomp.org or at 860-345-2081 to request assistance.