Accessibility
Unite to Promote Digital Accessibility as We Move Forward Together
Wildcat Chamber, 2:50-3:30pm (Session Period 2)
The College of Arts and Sciences is working diligently with KSU Global Campus, the Student Access Center, and the Teaching and Learning Center to build an inclusive educational culture that promotes accessibility in the delivery of digital content for on-campus courses and distance education. The Office of Civil Rights and the Department of Education define a course as accessible when all students are afforded equal “opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services.” This is a hot topic for all of us on campus as we are becoming more aware of the need to make courses accessible. This panel discussion will address students, faculty, and staff, including persons with disabilities, from varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives where digital accessibility is a concern, on the subject of promoting digital accessibility in the design of course content. Target Audience: Students, Faculty, and Staff.
Presenters
Debra Goins
Instructional Designer, College of Arts & Sciences
Deborah Goins, Instructional Designer for the College of Arts and Sciences, continuously advocates for digital accessibility and assists faculty with making electronic content more accessible. Goins earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University an MBA from Emporia State and eLearning and On-line Teaching Certificates.
Goins coordinates with KSU Global Campus, the Student Access Center, and the Teaching and Learning Center to promote accessibility in the delivery of all content for on-campus courses and distance education. These initiatives are in harmony with the 2025 vision for Kansas State University to be recognized as one of the nation's top 50 public research universities and its mission to embrace diversity, encourage engagement, and improve the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.
Goins released a new digital accessibility website in November of 2018 as a university wide resource to promote diversity and an inclusive educational culture. Goins has initiated policy changes to facilitate requests through Inter-Library Loan for accessible PDF documents. Other accomplishments include: partnering with the Kansas Accessibility Resource Network (KSARN); drafting the Arts & Sciences Digital Accessibility Policy; designing syllabus templates for Canvas and Word documents; developing blended course content in Canvas with eight session including a workshop for creating accessibly syllabi.
Laura Widenor
Instructional Designer, Global Campus
Laura Widenor serves as an instructional designer for Kansas State University Global Campus. Her primary responsibilities include assisting faculty in the design of online coursework, course reviews, and providing resources for best practices in online teaching. Prior to joining the K-State Global Campus, Laura acquired several years teaching experience in Idaho and held a variety of administrative positions in student life.
Laura holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education, which she received through a hybrid online and on-campus program from University of Phoenix, Boise. She holds two certificates from the Online Learning Consortium in online teaching and instructional design and the Lamar University Advanced Graduate Certificate in Online Education.
Kaitlyn Cherry
B.S. in Family Studies and Human Services
Kaitlyn Cherry was born in Virginia, and raised in Tennessee. She is the second of 5 children, and the oldest girl. She lost her vision at age 9.
Kaitlyn came to K-State after a disappointing experience with higher education at another university and had vowed to never give school another try.
Kaitlyn's experience at K-State is proof that an inclusive educational culture can raise awareness and remove barriers.
Kaitlyn graduated May 2018 with a B.S in Family Studies and Human Services, now called Human Development and Family Science, with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Trauma Studies, as well as received a certificate in Conflict Resolution.
