Existence of "Accessibility Specialist"
Hi Pat,
I found your question to be really intriguing. I’ve never heard of this position —at least not in PA (so far!)--and it sounds rather vague so I did a few searches.
The first specialist that comes up is a “web accessibility specialist” who helps companies make their web site accessible. That doesn’t sound like what this parent is proposing.
The second link that came up was the Accessibility Professional Association, which focuses on the “commercial built environment” which sounds more like an association that assists architects and buillders: https://www.accessibilityprofessionals.org https://www.accessibilityprofessionals.org/
Then I found CASI, the “Certified Access Specialist Institute” which seems to be related to the association I just mentioned—having to do with assisting contractors, builders, etc. for buildings, offices, schools, universities, etc. https://casinstitute.org https://casinstitute.org/ Again, neither of these seem like folks who would assist in the classroom.
Then there’s the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, IAAP, which is a membership organization that offers a certification in "Professional Accessibility Core Competencies,” CPACC. IAAP promotes universal design internationally and seems to be related both to web and physical environments.
I bring all this up because if there is a new “specialist" who assists classrooms in becoming more accessible, I’m just curious to know what type of training or certification or licensure this person would need to be in schools. The way you describe this, Pat, doesn’t sound like CATIS certification. I’m also wondering why a TVI wouldn’t be able to provide this “liaison” role?
I hope others weigh in because I’d love to know whether other states have such a specialist in classrooms to assist students with visual impairments.
Thanks for bringing this up, Pat!
—FM D'Andrea
On May 17, 2021, at 9:54 AM, PAT LEADER <pleader@comcast.net mailto:pleader@comcast.net> wrote:
Good morning AER Members - In our district, a parent has asked for an "Accessibility Specialist" for their student (middle school, congenitally blind, delayed). This staff member would be with the student in class and serve as a "liason" between the TVI and classroom teacher. The parent indicates that this is a "new" specialist, and that they are aware of such a staff member in other states, as well as California. Please respond to me, if you have any knowledge of this type of staff member working in class with students who are blind.
Thank you,
Pat
Patricia Leader M.A.
CUSD/SELPA II Vision/O & M Specialist
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Hi Pat:
Traditionally, Accessibility Specialists work directly with vendors, or Organizations that have invested in products where there is a question as to whether the content produced by these vendors and deployed by various agencies is conformant with applicable, published accessibility guidelines. If the Accessibility Specialist determines that the content being accessed is “inaccessible”, or not conformant with these guidelines, then they lay out a remediation plan for the vendor to assist with making this content accessible. Once the content is accessible, it should be usable for users of assistive technologies across all disabilities. Accessibility specialists typically wouldn’t work directly with students using assistive technologies unless they were conducting a usability study for a vendor. It sounds like these parents are looking for some sort of reasonable accommodation-type resource to ensure that the student is getting the most out of their assistive technology while at the same time ensuring that the student doesn’t run up against any barriers when accessing particular types of content. Those barriers most certainly do exist. I would suggest trying to adjust the parents’ focus to think in terms of an assistive technology coordinator of sorts who is able to ensure that the student is using the right tools for the right tasks, while being resourceful enough to identify accessibility concerns an reach out to comprehensive resources who can help them put time sensitive remediation plans into action.
Smile
Warmest Regards:
Larry L. Lewis, Jr.
E-Mail mailto:larry.lewis@flying-blind.com
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/LarryLLewisJR
Lewis Signature
On May 17, 2021, at 9:54 AM, PAT LEADER pleader@comcast.net wrote:
Good morning AER Members - In our district, a parent has asked for an "Accessibility Specialist" for their student (middle school, congenitally blind, delayed). This staff member would be with the student in class and serve as a "liason" between the TVI and classroom teacher. The parent indicates that this is a "new" specialist, and that they are aware of such a staff member in other states, as well as California. Please respond to me, if you have any knowledge of this type of staff member working in class with students who are blind.
Thank you,
Pat
Patricia Leader M.A.
CUSD/SELPA II Vision/O & M Specialist
AERNet mailing list -- aernet@lists.aerbvi.org
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This is just a thought, but it almost sounds as if someone created a
position to be something more than a "typical" paraprofessional. For
example, in many districts if it is determined that a student would benefit
from assistance from a paraprofessional the person hired usually has no
experience in the blindness field or any specific related skills. I've seen
several people work in this role for years, acquiring incredible skills in
braille material production, tactile graphics, providing audio description,
etc., all the while making the same miserable wage and no benefits as other
paraprofessionals with no comparable specialized skills. (The description
of pay and benefits may differ in your area, but is a reflection of the
districts I work with.) I'm thinking that the parent would like someone who
already has these skills. It could be that some districts have found a way
to differentiate a paraprofessional with additional skills.
Shelley Mack
On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 11:48 AM Larry L. Lewis, Jr. <
larry.lewis@flying-blind.com> wrote:
Hi Pat:
Traditionally, Accessibility Specialists work directly with vendors, or
Organizations that have invested in products where there is a question as
to whether the content produced by these vendors and deployed by various
agencies is conformant with applicable, published accessibility guidelines.
If the Accessibility Specialist determines that the content being accessed
is “inaccessible”, or not conformant with these guidelines, then they lay
out a remediation plan for the vendor to assist with making this content
accessible. Once the content is accessible, it should be usable for users
of assistive technologies across all disabilities. Accessibility
specialists typically wouldn’t work directly with students using assistive
technologies unless they were conducting a usability study for a vendor. It
sounds like these parents are looking for some sort of reasonable
accommodation-type resource to ensure that the student is getting the most
out of their assistive technology while at the same time ensuring that the
student doesn’t run up against any barriers when accessing particular types
of content. Those barriers most certainly do exist. I would suggest trying
to adjust the parents’ focus to think in terms of an assistive technology
coordinator of sorts who is able to ensure that the student is using the
right tools for the right tasks, while being resourceful enough to identify
accessibility concerns an reach out to comprehensive resources who can help
them put time sensitive remediation plans into action.
[image: Smile]
Warmest Regards:
Larry L. Lewis, Jr.
E-Mail larry.lewis@flying-blind.com
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/LarryLLewisJR
[image: Lewis Signature]
On May 17, 2021, at 9:54 AM, PAT LEADER pleader@comcast.net wrote:
Good morning AER Members - In our district, a parent has asked for an
"Accessibility Specialist" for their student (middle school, congenitally
blind, delayed). This staff member would be with the student in class and
serve as a "liason" between the TVI and classroom teacher. The parent
indicates that this is a "new" specialist, and that they are aware of such
a staff member in other states, as well as California. Please respond to
me, if you have any knowledge of this type of staff member working in class
with students who are blind.
Thank you,
Pat
Patricia Leader M.A.
CUSD/SELPA II Vision/O & M Specialist
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This sounds like a version of a deafblind intervener, but for a person with visual impairments. As far as I know, a credential for accessibility specialist does not exist in Illinois.
Michelle Clyne, M. S. Ed.
Coordinator, Project Reach
Illinois DeafBlind Services
818 DuPage Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630-790-2474 (voice)
www.philiprockcenter.orghttp://www.philiprockcenter.org/
[cid:image001.jpg@01D74B0E.2948A110]
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From: Shelley Mack smackbrl@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 11:09 AM
Cc: aer listserv aernet@lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: [AERNet] Re: Existence of "Accessibility Specialist"
This is just a thought, but it almost sounds as if someone created a position to be something more than a "typical" paraprofessional. For example, in many districts if it is determined that a student would benefit from assistance from a paraprofessional the person hired usually has no experience in the blindness field or any specific related skills. I've seen several people work in this role for years, acquiring incredible skills in braille material production, tactile graphics, providing audio description, etc., all the while making the same miserable wage and no benefits as other paraprofessionals with no comparable specialized skills. (The description of pay and benefits may differ in your area, but is a reflection of the districts I work with.) I'm thinking that the parent would like someone who already has these skills. It could be that some districts have found a way to differentiate a paraprofessional with additional skills.
Shelley Mack
On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 11:48 AM Larry L. Lewis, Jr. <larry.lewis@flying-blind.commailto:larry.lewis@flying-blind.com> wrote:
Hi Pat:
Traditionally, Accessibility Specialists work directly with vendors, or Organizations that have invested in products where there is a question as to whether the content produced by these vendors and deployed by various agencies is conformant with applicable, published accessibility guidelines. If the Accessibility Specialist determines that the content being accessed is "inaccessible", or not conformant with these guidelines, then they lay out a remediation plan for the vendor to assist with making this content accessible. Once the content is accessible, it should be usable for users of assistive technologies across all disabilities. Accessibility specialists typically wouldn't work directly with students using assistive technologies unless they were conducting a usability study for a vendor. It sounds like these parents are looking for some sort of reasonable accommodation-type resource to ensure that the student is getting the most out of their assistive technology while at the same time ensuring that the student doesn't run up against any barriers when accessing particular types of content. Those barriers most certainly do exist. I would suggest trying to adjust the parents' focus to think in terms of an assistive technology coordinator of sorts who is able to ensure that the student is using the right tools for the right tasks, while being resourceful enough to identify accessibility concerns an reach out to comprehensive resources who can help them put time sensitive remediation plans into action.
[Smile]
Warmest Regards:
Larry L. Lewis, Jr.
E-Mailmailto:larry.lewis@flying-blind.com
LinkedInhttps://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2FLarryLLewisJR&data=04%7C01%7Cmclyne%40philiprockcenter.org%7Ceba7c85ca8df4ebe662408d9194e0d3f%7Cc123f6b5150f4d6594824121a694ca96%7C0%7C1%7C637568645293737372%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=h4Ogvkp1R91ZTp3cQk43DYxnJOX1mbtaS0ufsqDCT5M%3D&reserved=0
[Lewis Signature]
On May 17, 2021, at 9:54 AM, PAT LEADER <pleader@comcast.netmailto:pleader@comcast.net> wrote:
Good morning AER Members - In our district, a parent has asked for an "Accessibility Specialist" for their student (middle school, congenitally blind, delayed). This staff member would be with the student in class and serve as a "liason" between the TVI and classroom teacher. The parent indicates that this is a "new" specialist, and that they are aware of such a staff member in other states, as well as California. Please respond to me, if you have any knowledge of this type of staff member working in class with students who are blind.
Thank you,
Pat
Patricia Leader M.A.
CUSD/SELPA II Vision/O & M Specialist
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