IT Accessibility Leadership
Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. If you create websites, software, videos, or electronic documents; or if you procure technology that others will use, it is your responsibility to ensure these technologies are accessible to all users. The University of Washington (UW) is committed to providing leadership and support to help its community as it embraces this responsibility. Leadership is organized into the following three groups.
IT Accessibility Task Force
The IT Accessibility Task Force was founded in 1992 and charged by the UW Vice President and CIO, UW- IT and Vice President, Office of External Affairs to develop and implement plans for promoting IT accessibility and establishing best practices campus-wide. It continues to meet monthly to:
- Continue taking steps toward more accessible UW websites and other IT and institutionalizing cooperative relationships between key stakeholder groups.
- Develop strategies that can be applied campus-wide, such as accessibility audits, progress reports, and the availability of tools to facilitate accessibility efforts.
- Recommend steps toward a more coordinated campus-wide effort in promoting the design of accessible websites and other IT.
It submits annual reports of progress and recommendations to project sponsors.
Following is a list of current Task Force members, organized by unit.
University Marketing and Communications
- Gina Hills, Director, Web Communications (co-chair)
- Thom Thorpe, Associate Director, Web Development
UW-IT
- Sheryl Burgstahler, Director, Accessible Technology Services (ATS) (co-chair)
- Dan Comden, Access Technology Center Manager, ATS
- Doug Hayman, Senior Computer Specialist, ATS
- Hadi Rangin, IT Accessibility Specialist, ATS
- Nick Rohde, Web and Content Developer
- Terrill Thompson, Technology Accessibility Specialist, ATS
Human Resources
- Ian Campbell, Manager, Disability Services Office (DSO)
- Olivia Ramoino, Program Operations Specialist, DSO
Student Services
- Bree Callahan, Director, Disability Resources for Students (DRS)
- Krista Greear, Assistant Director, DRS
UW Procurement Services
- Raymond Hsu, Assistant Director
Center for Teaching and Learning
- Karen Freisem, Instructional Consultant
Faculty
- Torey Gilbertson, Lecturer, Rehabilitation Medicine
UW-Bothell
- Ana Thompson, CPACC, Learning & Access Designer, Office of Digital Learning & Innovation
UW-Tacoma
- Patrick Pow, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
UW-IT Accessible Technology Services (ATS)
UW-IT’s Accessible Technology Services (ATS) provides services designed to increase the accessibility of IT developed, procured and used at the University of Washington. ATS staff includes several globally renown experts in the field of technology accessibility. For help with particular issues, please contact any of the following staff members. For additional options for receiving help, see Getting Help with Accessibility.
| Team Member | Specialty Areas |
|---|---|
| Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D. Director, Accessible Technology Services Affiliate Professor, College of Education sherylb@uw.edu |
|
| Hadi Rangin IT Accessibility Specialist hadir@uw.edu |
|
| Dan Comden Access Technology Center Manager danc@uw.edu |
|
| Terrill Thompson IT Accessibility Specialist tft@uw.edu |
|
| Gaby de Jongh IT Accessibility Specialist gabyd@uw.edu |
|
| Anna Marie Golden IT Accessibility Specialist amgolden@uw.edu |
|
| Doug Hayman Senior Computer Specialist dhayman@uw.edu |
|
| Lyla Crawford Program Coordinator, DO-IT lylac@uw.edu |
|
| Susie Hawkey Operations Manager Accessible Technology Services shawkey@uw.edu |
|
IT Accessibility Liaisons
IT Accessibility Liaisons are people who represent their work unit, large or small, in a tri-campus movement to promote the procurement, development, and use of IT that is accessible to everyone, but particularly to students, faculty and staff with disabilities. IT Accessibility Liaisons
- communicate online via a private email list and also meet as a group one morning three times per year.
- continue to learn about how IT used on campus can be made more accessible.
- collect information from and spread the word within their units about the UW’s IT Accessibility Policy and otherwise promote the IT Accessibility Initiative.
The IT Accessibility Initiative is under the leadership of Accessible Technology Services of UW-IT and guided by the tri-campus IT Accessibility Task Force.
How can you become an IT Accessibility Liaison?
To register as an IT Accessibility Liaison simply complete the IT Accessibility Liaisons Registration Form.
IT Accessibility Liaison Resources
Miss a meeting? Find meeting agendas and PowerPoints on the IT Accessibility Liaison Resources page. A list of all current UW-IT Liaisons is also located there.