Digital Accessibility: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Impact Change

AzTAP is proud to be collaborating with GrackleDocs, a leader in the field of document accessibility, to host trainings that focus on ICT (or digital) accessibility standards and best practices.

Now more than ever we rely on digital environments that leverage online technology like Learning Management Systems, digital textbooks and materials, digital and social media marketing, virtual information sessions, and collaboration through online video interaction to provide a robust and engaging environment for all students, perspective students, alumni, stakeholders, and community members. But have we considered equity and inclusion for people with disabilities who must interact with digital and online content differently? With 19% of all undergraduate students and 12% of all graduate students identifying as having a disability and the laws around digital access changing rapidly we, as leaders, must be informed and proactively incorporate digital accessibility practices in our work every day. This session will provide key information about digital accessibility and techniques that can be immediately applied to increase access.

Learning Outcomes:

• • Gain an understanding of digital accessibility.

• • Appreciate the importance of embracing accessible practices.

• • Understand current requirements for digital accessibility.

• • Be able to articulate at least 4 easy techniques for digital access that can immediately be applied to their work.

About the Speaker, Ann Knettler, Ed.D.

Ann currently serves as the Vice President of Consulting for GrackleDocs, a world leader in digital accessibility. An accessibility strategist with over 17 years of experience as an ADA and 504 Compliance Officer, Director of Disability Resources offices at both HBCUs and PWIs, and global corporate policy advisor; Ann is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant.

As a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Ann currently represents the Association as a member of the Council of Representatives for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) where she has co-authored and updated policy and standards for the entire field of higher education and currently sits on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

A published researcher, Ann regularly presents and consults globally on topics such as the depth and breadth of digital accessibility, disability rights, assessment and the use of data as an advocacy tool, disability policy and policy reform, strategic planning for organization-wide access, creating and using policy and accessibility standards, program review, ableism, and the social justice model of disability.

Ann is an active faculty member in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Public Administration Programs at Delaware State University. She received a Masters of Arts in Counseling in Higher Education with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Delaware and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University. Her dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of ableism and able-body privilege by students with disabilities in higher education and the impact that experience has on their receipt of an accessible and equitable education.

NAU Continuing Education (CE) Certificates will be provided

Reasonable Accommodations - CART Captioning and ASL Interpreting will be provided.