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

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