Districtwide Accessibility Workgroup

Mission

The Districtwide Accessibility Workgroup leads the Los Rios Community College District in creating an inclusive, barrier-free digital environment. Our mission is to transition the district from an "Initiated" status to an "Established" culture of accessibility, ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff have equitable access to information, technology, and educational opportunities.

Vision

To foster a proactive, districtwide culture where accessibility is not a reactive compliance measure, but a primary consideration integrated into the lifecycle of every digital tool, instructional resource, and business process across the district office and all four colleges.

Core Objectives

As a subcommittee of the District Educational Technology Committee (Ed Tech), the workgroup is responsible for:

• Maturity Oversight (Goal 1): Monitoring and improving the district's standing within the Accessibility Capability Maturity Model (ACMM) and coordinating the annual collection of evidence for reporting.
• Policy and Standards Recommendation: Drafting and recommending districtwide standards for digital accessibility to the District Ed Tech Committee for institutional adoption.
• Instructional and Technical Alignment (Goals 2, 3, and 6): Bridging the gap between instructional design and technical operations (IT/Web) to ensure a consistent experience for all users.
• Procurement and Implementation Guardrails (Goal 5): Developing the frameworks for accessibility vetting in procurement and the creation of Equally Effective Alternative Access Plans (EEAAP) for technology with known barriers.
• Onboarding and Culture (Goal 7): Collaborating with Human Resources to integrate accessibility responsibilities into the professional lifecycle of all district employees.

Scope of Authority

The workgroup operates under the direction of the District Ed Tech Committee. It provides specialized expertise, performs detailed ACMM milestone assessments, and prepares recommendations regarding digital accessibility that impact the district's technological and educational landscape. Final recommendations are moved through the established shared governance process via the District Ed Tech Committee.

Membership Structure

Core Members

The core members are responsible for the strategic and technical work of the ACMM, meeting regularly to draft processes, review evidence, and ensure districtwide alignment.

1. Executive Sponsor: Associate Vice Chancellor of Instruction (or designee).
2. UDA Coordinators (4): One representative from ARC, CRC, FLC, and SCC.
3. Deans of Distance Education (4): One administrative lead from each college overseeing the UDA coordinators.
4. District Academic Senate (DAS) Appointee (1): Faculty representative ensuring alignment with academic and professional matters (10+1).

Operational Liaisons (Advisory/As-Needed)

Liaisons provide specialized expertise for specific ACMM goals and join the workgroup when their area of responsibility is on the agenda.

• IT Service Delivery Liaison: Consulted for Procurement (Goal 5) and Technical Training (Goal 6.4).
• Web and Communications Liaison: Consulted for Web Evaluation (Goal 3) and Marketing Materials (Goal 4.2).
• Human Resources Liaison: Consulted for Employee Onboarding (Goal 7.4).
• Purchasing/Contracts Liaison: Consulted for Accessibility Warranty Clauses (Goal 5.3).
• DSPS Liaison: Consulted for Student Impact and EEAAP Development (Goal 7.1).

Governance Workflow

1. Drafting: The Core Members conduct the ground-level work, auditing milestones, and drafting procedural templates.
2. Review: Recommendations are presented to the District Ed Tech Committee for feedback and alignment with the broader District Technology Plan.
3. Adoption: District Ed Tech Committee-approved recommendations move through the standard shared governance pathways (Chancellor's Cabinet, Board of Trustees) for districtwide implementation.