Review of Individual Entrepreneurship Proposal

Assistive technology can be defined as any device that increases, maintains or improves the functional capability of a student with a disability. With 6.5 million students being served through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997, this relatively new field can be confusing and overwhelming for instructional designers and educators alike. This proposal focuses on educating Seton Hall content developers on accessibility issues and standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) along with the investigation of assistive technologies that support course delivery on campus. Since we all have special needs in some shape and form, this study would ultimately benefit all students in the Seton Hall University community, forming a strong and enhanced academic system.

It is important to note that assistive technology is not about creating separate multimedia content or curriculum but making them available to all students. Research has shown that one reason schools and universities are still being challenged is the fact that implementation of mandates traditionally has been the responsibility of a few isolated individuals. Since Seton Hall University endorses the team model in curriculum development to include members from the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, along with faculty and other members of the academic community, this proposal will be presented to the Emerging Technology Roundtable for adoption during the fall of 2005-2006.

Objectives (include, but are not limited to) :

Investigation of assistive technology that supports the visually impaired student for the fall of 2005

Creation of a Blog to promote communication and community to focus on emerging accessibility issues

Use of a wiki to provide a group work space to document resources available to faculty, Disibility office staff, students, Instructional Designers, and administrators

Discussion concerning the promising benefits of assistive technology

Observation of a range of assistive technology devices in use

Identification and exploration of key questions … What are the issues around assistive technology? How can assistive technology enable special needs students to be empowered? How can technology promote achievement and increase academic success? What can we do as the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center to further support faculty and students with assistive technology?

Presentation of accessibility issues and standards to content developers at Seton Hall

Identification and examination of effective frameworks and successful assistive technology initiatives at other higher education institutions

Hold a Showcase on awareness of accessibility through the Emerging Technology Roundtable and the Office of Student Disabilities (i.e. speakers, presentations by students on use of assistive technology at SHU, legal issues, etc.)

Development of a partnership between the TLTC and the Student Disability Office on campus