Seminar Details

Summary of Presentation

As more information becomes Web-based including courses and courseware, the need to make Web content usable and accessible is extremely important. This interactive seminar, "Access to All: Create Accessible Courses and Web Pages" is targeted for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced creators of Web pages. The seminar will provide information on how to universally design Web sites for all users including individuals with disabilities. Participants will have the opportunity to join the live seminar in the Foster Auditorium in Pattee Library on the University Park campus, or join by Adobe Connect from their desktop. Adobe Connect will provide participants an opportunity to interact with the presenters and ask questions and receive answers immediately.

Who Should Attend?

The targeted audience is faculty, instructors, Web developers, instructional designers, administrators, students and anyone else involved in creating on-line course content and Web information.

Registration

The seminar is free and registration is not required. However, seating is limited. Thus, those who come early will be seated in Foster Auditorium. Others will be able to connect to the presentation at http://breeze.psu.edu/atdemo from either the Library's computer lab or from their private office.

Speakers and Topics

• Christian Vinten-Johansen: Christian is on the staff of Information Technology Services, in the Teaching and Learning with Technology group. As an expert on on-line accessibility issues, Christian will discuss a broad perspective on universally designing Web pages including: creating accessible Web content and design; new multimedia products and issues related to accessibility; new innovations in accessible Web design (e.g., Math ML); and cultural perspectives on disabled users and the tools necessary to navigate on-line courses successfully.
• Richard Fasse, Ed.D., and Joeann Humbert: Richard Fasse is the Assistant Director of Online Learning at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and manages the Instructional Design group and Joeann Humbert is the Director of Online Learning for RIT. As faculty, instructors and students utilize on-line learning with various multi-media programs, course designers and Web content providers face challenges in providing access to content that is Web-based. New synchronous Web technologies are popular with faculty and pose special challenges for accessibility. At the same time, asynchronous learning networks (ALNs) are helping to transform education and training from site-based, time-bound experiences to anytime-anywhere online learning environments. This presentation will highlight solutions, as well as policies and best practices for on-line learning. Attendees will become more aware of specific challenges faced by colleges and universities as they deal with Web access; will learn best practices and policies that can ensure access; and will learn both high-tech and low-tech solutions to Web access.
• David Cunningham: David is a graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana Campus, and with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. He works part-time for Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh also known as BVRSP. He is also an independent consultant helping organizations and individuals with assistive technology and on-line Web content.

Access Requirements

A "Penn State Access Account" or "Friends of Penn State Account" is required to access the site.

• The "Penn State Access Account" is the digital identity for Penn State faculty, students, and staff; for more information see the following Web site: http://aset.its.psu.edu/accounts/.
• The "Friends of Penn State Account" provides individuals who are not affiliated with Penn State with a digital identity. To apply, visit the following Web site: https://fps.psu.edu/mkuser/.

Adobe Connect Details

On April 2, the seminar can be accessed at the following Web site: https://breeze.psu.edu/atdemo/.

For more information about Adobe Connect, see the following Web site: http://meeting.psu.edu/.

Accommodations for the Foster Auditorium

At the Foster Auditorium there will be a captionist and an interpreter available.  If you need these services during the seminar, please contact Susan Hayya at shh2@psu.edu.  This will ensure the appropriate accommodations meet individual's needs.  Copies of PowerPoint slides or handouts (if utilized) will be made available upon request prior to this event if needed for accessibility.  In addition, PowerPoint slides and handouts will be available upon request in alternative formats.  Please contact Susan Hayya at shh2@psu.edu for either of these requests (please provide at least two days notice prior to the event).

Accommodations for the Adobe Connect Site

The developers of this training have configured the Adobe Connect site to be as accessible as possible.  However, some individuals may require additional accommodations to fully participate via Adobe Connect. 

The Adobe site will include a captioned note section and an interpreter pod for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

In addition, the following support is offered:

• Individuals with disabilities should test accessibility to Adobe Connect prior to the event by visiting https://breeze.psu.edu/attest/ ahead of time so that the designers can address any specific accommodation needs.
• Any individual using a screen reader or captioning for this event should contact John Spotts at jds100@psu.edu or 814-360-4777 prior to the session, to ensure there are no difficulties accessing this site or training.
• Further support during the event will be provided by the following ITS staff:

  John Spotts, IT Consultant

  Work: 814-865-2365

  Cell Phone: 814-360-4777

  E-mail address: jds100@psu.edu

  Chris Demchak, IT Specialist

  Work: 814-865-6367

  E-mail address: cmd300@psu.edu

Co-Sponsors

• Library Services For Persons with Disabilities
• The Office For Disability Services
• Information Technology Services, Teaching and Learning with Technology
• The Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet)
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)