Administrative Engagement for Digital Accessibility Toolkit
Description
Think about your online application and interview scheduling tools. Are they accessible to all potential employees? What about your interoffice memos, sick time forms and other required work processes? Are they ADA compliant? What if a parent/guardian with disabilities needs to update their child’s profile in your student information system, would like to access their progress report or would like to replenish their lunch account? Are those systems accessible?
Let’s work together to make the education environment more inclusive.
Professional Development Resources
New videos from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently released a new series of twenty short videos covering digital accessibilityincluding federal regulations, how individuals with disabilities use technology, and even remediating digital accessibility issues. The videos range from three to six minutes in length; perfect for short snippets that can be shared or presented in regular staff meetings or as part of your staff communications.
- Specific recommendations:
- Topic 4 - Vendors and Partnerships
- Topic 5 - Creating an Organizational Culture that Embraces Accessibility
- Topic 19 - Reporting & Responding to Digital Barriers for People with Disabilities
Edupaths Courses
- Accessible Materials Made Right (AMMR)
- AMMR #1: Code and Foundations Version 3
- AMMR #2: Structure and Appearance, Part 1 Version 2
- AMMR #3: Structure and Appearance, Part 2 Version 3
- AMMR #4: Microsoft Word Version 3
- AMMR #4: Microsoft Word Office 365
- AMMR #5: Adobe Acrobat Pro Version 2
- AMMR #6: Microsoft PowerPoint Version 3
- AMMR #6: Microsoft PowerPoint Office 365
- AMMR #7: Develop Your Plan Version 3 - Most relevant in this scenario
Local Resources
Centers for Independent Living
Michigan has 15 federally-designated Centers for Independent Living (CIL) that focus on removing barriers for people with disabilities and promoting self-sufficiency. We take a two-pronged approach to our services; helping people discover and reach their independent living goals and helping communities become more inclusive through education and advocacy. CILs are unique in that they are community-based, private nonprofits governed and staffed predominantly by people with disabilities. CILs serve people of all ages and all types of disabilities. But, it doesn’t stop there. We are also a great resource for families, caregivers, state and local government, legislators, businesses, and community organizations.
Supports to individuals are focused on working in partnership with them to achieve their goals, which often include increased independence, connections to their community, and self-sufficiency. We do this through a variety of services including: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skill Development, Individual and Systems Advocacy, and Community Transitions.
If you are looking for input from people with disabilities on a project, please reach out to your local CIL for feedback. All counties in Michigan are served by a CIL and each CIL belongs to a statewide network called Disability Network/Michigan. To find your CIL and more information about Disability Network/Michigan, please follow the links below.