Technology Accessibility Committee

Reports to: Committee on Information Technology (CIT), IT Partners’ Council (ITPC), IT Advisory Board (ITAB)

Charter

The Technology Accessibility Committee (TAC) at Wake Forest University is an advisory group acting to advance the accessibility of our campus technology. TAC’s foundational motivation is to have the University’s technological ecosystem continually progressing towards being more accessible to users of campus technology. We acknowledge that technology accessibility is a core component of Wake Forest University’s commitment to non-discrimination, diversity, and inclusion and is of significant impact to individuals with disabilities in our community.

Through collaborative efforts, the Committee seeks to use proactive technology accessibility enhancements to remove barriers for engagement and strengthen the equitable and welcoming nature of our campus, in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. The Committee engages with the Wake Forest community to understand the needs and impacts of accessibility on our many campus members, including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and visitors. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to: teaching and learning, administration, research, community engagement and service, procurement, disability and accessibility awareness, and student life.

The TAC is an initiative team that makes recommendations through the Committee on Information Technology and Information Technology Partner’s Council, and Information Technology Security Advisory Committee, on matters of technology accessibility efforts and enhancements for WFU. TAC membership broadly represents areas and interests across WFU, with faculty, students, and staff contributing as members.

The Technology Accessibility Committee will:

• Maintain insight into current best practices and standards for technology accessibility and current trends;
• Advocate for proactive technology accessibility efforts to increase equity and diversity on campus;
• Collaborate with University partners engaged in equity and diversity work to advocate for and support the intersectional needs of all those engaging with campus technology, across a broad range of identities and abilities;
• Advise the Accessible Content Working Group on engagements and needs for campus resources and guidance development;
• Recommend technology accessibility policies and procedures through the IT Advisory Committees structure;
• Coordinate with other relevant units on campus, e.g., Instructional Technology Group, Information Systems, Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services;
• Contribute to strategies for the development and implementation of campus accessibility training;
• Shape campus technology accessibility to proactively engage state, national and international standards;
• Review and prioritize identified needs and opportunities for enhancements;
• Obtain input from Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff;
• Review and advise as necessary for the implementation of campus policies and procedures;
• Advise on prioritization of accessibility training and tools;
• Conduct outreach to ensure WFU-wide messaging on technology accessibility is consistent and well distributed.