• Spring 2026 Registration Open Now!

    Register for Classes And Start Your Future Today

    Registering for classes at Taft College is quick and easy. However, there are items to consider, such as prerequisite clearance, important deadlines, what to do if your classes are full, and how to monitor your progress. Let’s figure it out together.

    Register for classes

February 23, 2018 Meeting

Agenda

Accessibility (508) Oversight Committee

Admin 116
February 23, 2018
10:10-11:00

 

Agenda

  1. Welcome
  2. Introductions
  3. Review Charter
  4. Committee Voting Structure
  5. Website Accessibility Software (Jason)
  6. Other Business
  7. Meeting Adjourned

Date the future meetings: March 23rd, April 27th, and May 25th

Minutes

ACCESSIBILTY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Friday, February 23, 2018

Counseling Conference Room

10:10 am – 11:00 am

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Amar Abbott, Daniel Hall, Jason Zsiba, Terri Smith, Vick Jacobi, Kayla Meyer-Denver, and Melissa Blanco (Recorder)

 

  1. WELCOME
  • Amar welcomed the members and thanked everyone for attending.
  • He also explained the purpose of the committee is to accommodate everyone, not just those with disabilities, with access to learning and facilities as a whole.
  1. INTROCUTIONS
  • Those present introduced themselves and their role at Taft College.
  1. REVIEW CHARTER
    • Amar distributed a copy of the charter for the committee members to review.
    • Committee members agreed they should also address all accessibility needs for the District including facilities issues.
    • Amar stated Administrative policies and procedures have been established for accessibility.
    • Vicki suggested some changes to the wording which addresses who the committee reports to. She suggested the committee submit recommendations to the VPSS, Co-Chair of the committee.  The VPSS then would submit recommendation to the President.
    • It was suggested to look at the membership and include another classified representative possibly from the TIL departments and also student with and without disabilities.
  2. COMMITTEE VOTING STRUCTURE
    • Amar suggested each member present would have a vote, but if the vote resulted in a tie then the VPSS, Co-Chair, would be the tie-breaker.

 

  1. WEBSITE ACCESSIBILTY SOFTWARE
    • Jason Zsiba has been working in the dark on addressing accessibility issues with the District’s website.
    • The website was created by a third-party so this makes things more difficult to address.
    • Jason stated there are hefty fines for not providing the minimum required accessibility tools necessary for navigation of the website.
    • Jason stated places like Bakersfield College are being sued for not having the appropriate accessibility tools.
    • The District needs to begin addressing accessibility and properly address their efforts and actions. The District must show good faith.
    • Jason suggested the District working with a vendor to address accessibility issues with our website and access to materials on the TC Website.
    • Two vendors Jason has been looking into are as follows:
      1. Site Improve
      2. Monsido
    • Documents need to be in the right format (html), closed-captioned needs to be addressed for videos, and alternative textbooks need to be provided in accessible format.
    • Amar stated when a faculty member submits a request for textbooks for their class that it should be “mandatory” to select alternative textbooks not “optional”.
    • Terri volunteered to be the “Guinea pig” for when she selects her new textbook for reading ability/alternative format.
    • Amar asked Jason to email out information on the two vendors for the committee to review and for him to select a vendor of his choice to do a demonstration at the next Accessibility Oversight Committee.
  1. OTHER
  • Committee members strongly believe facilities accessibility issues should be addressed also such as the heavy doors at the library and cafeteria.
  • Vicki asked if there is a budget for this committee and who is responsible?
  • Amar stated this should be under the responsibility of all departments since accessibility is necessary in all areas.
  • Vicki suggested funds from the Equity would be a good source of revenue for some costs.

Next Meeting:  March 23, 2018, 10:10 am -11:00 am, Cafeteria Conference Room

Supporting Docs

©