About ACCESS
Welcome to the “About” section of the ACCESS website. Here you will be introduced to the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of accessible information technology and resources at SF State.
Who is creating ACCESS?
Students, faculty, staff, and administrators from across campus have been developing, and continue to develop and implement best practices that ensure information technology and resources are accessible to all at SF State.
What is ACCESS all about?
SF State, along with the California State University system (CSU), is committed to creating a culture of access for an inclusive learning and working environment that ensures all campus information resources and technologies are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. This commitment has been codified at the systemwide level resulting in the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI.) Here at SF State we call it ACCESS! The three specific areas of information resources and technologies being addressed are web accessibility , instructional materials accessibility and accessible electronic and information technology (E&IT) procurement.
When will ACCESS be implemented?
ACCESS is happening now. It started with the Chancellor’s Office launching the ATI in the fall of 2006. Then in December of that year, SF State President Robert A. Corrigan assembled and charged the university’s first ever President’s Task Force on Accessible Electronic and Information Technology. Since then the ACCESS task force and related work groups have been developing, implementing and assessing best practices for ensuring that information technology and resources at SF State are accessible to all. The ATI timeline defines specific deliverables through 2012.
Where does ACCESS appear?
ACCESS touches all aspects of university life, from the classroom to the workplace and from cocurricular activities to public events.
Why is ACCESS important?
It’s the law and it’s the right thing to do. Both federal and state laws mandate that CSU websites, instructional materials, and other IT resources be accessible. The ATI is supported by CSU policy, including EO 926, Academic Senate resolutions, and coded memoranda. More importantly, implementation of the ATI at SF State is the right thing to do in order to facilitate full and equal access to electronic and information technology. It promotes the use of technology, enhancing the effectiveness of all students, faculty and staff, and encourages a campus culture that embraces disability access as a matter of social justice and equity. And it’s doable!
How will ACCESS be achieved?
Together. That’s the only way we are accomplishing and fostering the desired all-inclusive environment. It’s a collaborative effort that includes you. Contact the ACCESS Support Team in the DPRC at access@sfsu.edu to learn more about how you can become involved. The ACCESS Support team is currently working on a number of projects. Three of the larger ones include:
- Assessment and remediation of administrative websites critical to institutional access, conducted in collaboration with the website owners and related technical staff
- Creating and posting accessible syllabi online for all College of Business courses for fall 2009, a collaboration with the College of Business and Academic Technology.
- Training E & IT Technical Advisors on procurement of accessible E & IT products and services over $15,000, a collaboration with the Purchasing Department and other key stakeholders
The ACCESS Task Force will resume its meeting schedule in the Spring 2010 semester. Dates are to be announced and all are welcome.
You are invited to explore the various sections of this website to learn more about incorporating accessibility into your work at SF State. Be sure to check out the training section and use the ACCESS Support Request Form (SuRF) to request technical assistance. We look forward to hearing from you!
