(A6 - VSS) Panel – Accessibility and Universal Design Experiences of Faculty & Students (30 minutes)
Panelists: Carrie Anton, Randy Jenne, Chris Ostrowski, William Thompson
Each panelist brings a slightly different angle to the session. Most of the context may be around students with vision loss however if we design to reduce barriers for people with so called “severe” disabilities we often hit the mark for many people.
Presenters will delve into the murky water of barriers encountered in post-secondary education, accessibility issues and the experienced path of implementation of universal design in online and blended environments. Session attendees will also have the opportunity to collaborate to create a vision for the future of post-secondary learning.
Biographies:
Carrie Anton has been in the field of Assistive Technology since 1989. She is extremely knowledgeable about assistive technology and accommodations for individuals who face barriers education and employment. She provides assessments, training, technical support to students and staff of Athabasca University. She is a user of assistive technology herself. Above this, Carrie has also excelled as a role model and is a Paralympic Gold Medalist in the sport of Goalball. Her attention to detail, tenaciousness, and drive for excellence is a valued asset.
Randy Jenne is an Associate Professor in the Decision Sciences Department in the School of Business at MacEwan University. He has been teaching computer courses at MacEwan since 1981 and in the last ten years I have designed, revised, and delivered online, hybrid and face-to-face courses. He has worked very closely with the Services to Students with Disabilities Department at MacEwan and have been a strong supporter for the work they do. This term he is teaching in three delivery modes (face-to-face, hybrid, and online). His courses make use of videos, simulations, and sophisticated computer-scored assignments that support mastery learning.
Chris Ostrowski is a MA student of Educational Technology in the Werklund School of Education. His MA research focuses on understanding the lived experiences of university students with visual impairments and their use technology to support learning. He is also interested in finding systemic ways to improve teaching and learning in higher education to meet the needs of individual students and learner differences.
William Thompson is a teacher of English at MacEwan University and Athabasca University. Bill is also a story teller and hosts the blog Of Other Worlds: A Children's Literature Blog.
Updated January 22, 2016 by Student & Academic Services
