Digital Accessibility Subcommittee

Overview

WSU is committed to providing equal access to electronic and information technology for all students, staff, faculty, and others with disabilities. This includes the accessibility of instructional materials, documents, media, and other information provided through WSU’s telecommunication products, websites, online learning services, software systems, and information kiosks. 

The U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Washington require public institutions such as WSU to ensure that websites, mobile applications, and digital content are accessible to a broad range of users in conformity to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. The WSU System Digital Accessibility Committee (Committee) provides leadership and accountability by coordinating systemwide efforts to ensure compliance with these requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (42 USC Sec. 12101 et seq.); its implementing regulations (28 CFR Part 35); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC Sec. 701 et seq.); Washington State Office of the Chief Information Officer USER-01 Digital Accessibility Policy, and the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW Chapter 49.60). See BPPM 10.45 for more information about WSU’s digital accessibility standards.   

The sub-committee is established as a sub-committee of the WSU System Compliance Committee (SCC), which provides leadership and helps ensure accountability for compliance across the WSU system. WSU’s digital accessibility obligations impact and involve multiple departments, campuses, extension facilities, and individual employees. The sub-committee will provide centralized direction and support for WSU’s digital accessibility compliance.  

Function

The scope of the Committee includes but is not limited to the following activities: 

  • Assessing system and departmental compliance
  • Recommending paths for remediation of noncompliance
  • Facilitating educational programs and campaigns
  • Identifying resource needs
  • Reviewing digital accessibility-related policies for consistency with state and federal law
  • Recommending frameworks for individual, departmental, and system accountability for digital accessibility

Committee Membership

  • Co-Chairs
    • Holly Ashkannejhad, ADA Coordinator, Compliance and Civil Rights
    • Wendy Steele, Assistant Director for Digital Technology Accessibility and Student Experience, Global Campus
    • Lesa McPeak, Web Services Manager, University Marketing and Communications
  • Members
    • Tony Opheim, VP for Information Services, Chief Information Officer 
    • Matthew Jeffries, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Campus Climate and Community Building, Pullman 
    • Gretchen Hormel, Access Services and Testing Center Manager, Tri-Cities 
    • Jane Summers, Director, Access and Wellness, Spokane 
    • Ann Monroe, Director, Medical Leave and Accommodations, HRS
    • Anna McLeod, Director of Student Services, Everett 
    • Anna Plemons, Associate Vice Chancellor, Tri-Cities 
    • Obie Ford III, Vice Chancellor, Vancouver 
    • Daniel Rieck, Web Developer, Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement 
    • Edward Sala, Assistant Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications 
    • Elizabeth Doyle, Principal Assistant, APAC and Faculty Senate 
    • Kristina Peterson-Wilson, Vice Provost for Academic Administration & Chief of Staff 
    • JoAnne Costa, Contract Specialist, Purchasing Services 
    • Jacqueline Southwick, Director, System Communications & Customer Experience, ITS 
    • Sarah Schaub, Web Services Manager, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences 
    • Chantell Cosner, Campus Director Marketing and Communications, WSU Spokane
    • Laura Howard, Website Coordinator, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
    • Leslie Streeter, WSU TC Marketing and Communications Director
    • Alex Merrill, Head Systems and Technical Operations, WSU Libraries
    • Jen Saulnier Lange, Online Learning Librarian, WSU Libraries
    • Paul Fleming-McCullagh, Manager of Modernization’s Change & Communications Team
    • Jessica McKee, IT Support Technician 2, WSU Vancouver
    • Scott Fraser, IT Business Analyst, WSU Vancouver
    • Scott Weybright, Public Relations/Communication Coordinator
    • Hailey James, Executive Director for Communications and Engagement

Contact

Individuals who would like to participate on the Digital Accessibility Committee or consult on digital accessibility requirements should contact the WSU ADA Coordinator at ada.coordinator@wsu.edu.