Using Technology to Include

As the CITES Project Director, Christine Fox manages the planning and implementation of CITES activities. In coordination with the center’s Principal Investigator (PI) and CAST Director of Technical Assistance, Christine coordinates  the evaluation and reporting, budgeting, and leveraging of internal and external partnerships related to this project. 

Prior to joining CAST, Christine was the Senior Director of External Relations for the Consortium for School Networking (COSN) where she was responsible for corporate partnerships, professional advancement programs, and supported advocacy efforts. Her role included managing opportunities for district technology leaders and companies to collaborate. Christine spent the majority of her career in leadership positions at State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Most recently she served as the Interim Executive Director,  charting  the strategic direction of the organization and facilitating the members’ professional learning opportunities. In addition, she managed product development from conception to publication including Navigating the Digital Shift reports 2015- 2019, the Broadband Imperative Report Series, and the Guide to Quality Instructional Materials. Christine’s background includes experience in education and consulting. She has worked as an educational consultant and curriculum developerl, ESOL Coordinator, and elementary school teacher. She holds a Master's Degree in TESOL from FIU and an undergraduate degree from FSU. 

When she is not working, she enjoys walking, reading, cooking, cheering for the FSU Seminoles, and attending her teenage daughters' activities including softball games and swim meets.

Key Takeaways:
Most of the technology we use every day and take for granted was started for the purpose of including those with disabilities.

Students have grown up using technologies as a tool. Taking it away from them is putting them all at a disservice. It isn't cheating. Its using the tools they've grown accustomed to.

We need to pre plan according to what we know, so everyone has equal access at the same time rather than a scramble and wait at the end.

We should make social media accessible as well by using these strategies:

Use alt tags on images Capitalize hashtagsUse shortened linksUse captions on your videos

Stay in Touch:
What and Why of Inclusive Technology: https://youtu.be/IqanKKYp01g?feature=shared

Get Started with CITES: https://cites.cast.org/get-started/cites-framework

Leadership Self-Assessment: on this page https://cites.cast.org/leadership/intro-leadership-netp - direct link:  cites-selfasses-leadership-20230502.docx

Creating Accessible Social Media Posts: https://aem.cast.org/create/creating-accessible-social-media

 

Resources to Support Requiring Accessibility from the Start

The AEM Center has Sample Language for Digital Accessibility Requirements, as well as Accessibility Guidance and Vetting RecommendationsK-12 Blueprint has a toolkit that supports the basic development of RFPs with specific guidance on Digital Tools for Diverse Learners with resources focused on accessibility.CITES Sample Accessibility RFP Questions from DistrictsUnderstanding the VPAT® https://aem.cast.org/acquire/vpat

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