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Background on Campus Effort

In spring 2015, then Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek assembled an accessibility implementation team to recommend campus policy, establish training on accessibility, monitor compliance, provide communications, and establish a formal timeline for implementation.

Accessibility Implementation Team

Erin Chapin (ORE Communications Coordinator)

David Cihak (Associate Professor in EHHS; specializes in school-work transitions for persons with disabilities)

Mari Beth Coleman (Assistant Professor in EHHS; expertise in assistive technology)

Adam Cureton (Assistant Professor in Philosophy; faculty representative)

Jean Derco, (Executive Director, OIT; training experience)

Jennifer Gramling (Director of Online Programs; training experience)

Heather Hartman (Summer School Coordinator)

Natalie Johnson (Management Specialist; HR)

Steve Milewski (Assistant Professor in Library)

David Ndiaye (Assistant Director, Disability Services)

Joel Reeves (Assistant Vice Chancellor & CIO)

Jenny Richter (Associate Director, Office of Equity/Diversity; ADA Contact)

Matthew Scoggins, Consulting (General Counsel)

Leigh Shoemaker (Assistant Director, Creative Communications, web development experience/access)

Subcommittees & Charges

COMMUNICATION & AWARENESS
Co-chairs: Leigh Shoemaker (Assistant Director, Creative Communications) and Erin Chapin (ORE Communications Coordinator)
Steve Milewski (Assistant Professor in Library)
David Ndiaye (Assistant Director, Disability Services)
Natalie Johnson (Management Specialist, HR)

This subcommittee determines the best way to: create awareness of the changing societal/legal expectations regarding accessibility, disseminate information about the Accessibility Implementation Team, develop appropriate messaging guidelines (terminology, etc.) for the team, publicize opportunities for contribution and feedback in the process, publicize the new policy when finalized, work with the training subcommittee to communicate those opportunities, and continue to publicize progress toward goals. Any public communication regarding this effort will be sent for review by this subcommittee. This group works with Creative Communications to design and build accessibility.utk.edu, which includes at least a reference/link to everything about accessibility at UT Knoxville. A timeline shows various communications and the website development.

POLICY & PROCEDURES, MONITORING

Chair: Heather Hartman (Summer School Coordinator)
Jenny Richter (Associate Director, Office of Equity/Diversity; ADA Contact)
Matthew Scoggins Consulting (General Counsel)

This subcommittee: reviews accessibility policies from peers and aspirant institutions, reviews legal requirements, confers with other subcommittees for recommendations, develops and proposes an Information, Materials & Technology Accessibility policy for the UT System, for the president’s consideration. The subcommittee will draft an accessibility policy for UT Knoxville and develop procedures and a monitoring process to ensure that we are working toward accomplishing goals. This group also: communicates with the system re: any new developments and the status of Knoxville campus efforts, and develops a timeline for implementation.

TRAINING & TEXTBOOKS/LEARNING MATERIALS

Chair: Jean Derco (Executive Director, OIT; training experience)
Jennifer Gramling (Director of Online Programs; training experience)
Mari Beth Coleman (Asst. Professor in EHHS; expertise in assistive technology)
Bryan Hilbert (Coordinator, Disabilities Careers, Student Life)
Steve Milewski (Assistant Professor in Library)

This subcommittee primarily addresses training opportunities and the development of accessible instructional materials. However, this group also looks at the current state of textbook accessibility, makes recommendations for moving forward, and hopefully liaises with the CFO group that negotiates the purchasing aspect of the accessibility policy. This group’s main focus is creating awareness among the faculty regarding universal design and learning, creating standards and templates, identifying areas where faculty need help making their instructional materials accessible, and developing a variety of ways for UT Knoxville faculty to learn to develop accessible instructional materials for use on campus and online. The group develops a timeline showing reasonable implementation in these areas.

WEBSITES

Chair: Leigh Shoemaker (Assistant Director, Creative Communications, web development experience/access)
David Ndiaye (Assistant Director, Disability Services)
Adam Cureton (Assistant Professor in Philosophy; visually impaired)
David Cihak (Associate Professor in EHHS; specializes in school-work transitions for persons with disabilities)

This group proposes a strategy to ensure accessibility of utk.edu websites, sets short- and long-term goals, and generates a timeline to achieve each.