Cheryl Pruitt, Director, Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI), California State University (CSU) System

As Director of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) for the California State University (CSU) System, Cheryl oversees the ATI implementation across the CSU 23 campus system. She has been involved with the ATI since the beginning of 2007, first at the campus level, then at the system-wide level. Under her leadership, the system has made significant progress towards implementing ATI process improvement in the areas of web accessibility, accessible procurement, and accessible instructional materials. She is currently managing several projects that are moving the initiative forward they include implementation of an ATI reporting process to measure the system-wide progress towards the ATI goals; creation of synergy projects resulting in system-wide shared services that are delivering cost savings; and a high level of cross-campus collaboration through the ATI Communities of Practice. Cheryl established and leads the CSU Accessible Technology Network (CSU ATN) which brings together accessibility experts across the CSU System to work collectively on accessibility projects that benefit the entire system.

Laura Patch DePue, eLearning Miami

Laura is an instructional designer with the eLearning Miami Office (ELM). Prior to her work at Miami University, she held positions at Ohio University in Athens and Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. Her professional interests include gamification, accessibility, and cross-cultural learning facilitated by educational technology.

 

 

Elizabeth Farrar, eLearning Miami

Elizabeth is an Instructional Design and Technology Support Specialist with eLearning Miami. She provides instructional design support for faculty development eLearning courses.

 

 

 

Cyndi Govreau, eLearning Miami

Cyndi is an Instructional Design and Technology Support Specialist with eLearning Miami. She provides instructional design support for faculty development eLearning courses.

 

 

 

Jia-Tom Luo, eLearning Miami

Tom is an Instructional Designer with eLearning Miami. Mr. Luo provides consultation and support for eLearning courses to faculty and staff, as well as instructional technologies.

 

 

 

Sean Poley, Director of Accessible Technology (MU)

Miami's Director of Accessibility Technology, Sean works closely with constituents across the University to ensure that accessible technology is seamlessly integrated to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Central to his mission is a focus on training and outreach, with special emphasis on bringing all interested parties to the table to raise awareness and improve accessibility throughout Miami. While today he works to coordinate Miami’s accessibility efforts, his future vision includes an assistive technology lab where faculty, staff, and students can try out new technologies and learn how to build accessibility into their materials. He holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State and a master's degree in Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work. He is a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and the PA Air National Guard.

Hope Sweeney, Student Disability Services (MU)

Hope is the Accommodations Coordinator for Student Disability Services (SDS) and has nearly 25 years of experience in working with students and adults with disabilities. She has worked in non-profit and most recently, state government settings and specializes in working with persons with blindness, visual impairment, and mental health diagnosis. In Miami’s SDS office, Hope works directly with students and faculty to ensure that classroom materials are converted and accessible for students with print disabilities including conversion to braille, large print, screen reader accessible and tactile images as well as consulting on how to work with individuals with disabilities and issues of accessibility around campus.

Duc Ta, Web Content Accessibility Specialist (MU)

Currently working to test the accessibility of Miami websites and applications, Duc has over four years of experience working in the disabilities field. Before coming to Miami, Duc worked as an IT Consultant at California State University, Northridge, helping to ensure that all websites and applications were Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliant.

 

 

Kara Zirkle, Accessible Technology Specialist (MU)

Ms. Zirkle has over 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Kara has worked in Government and Higher Education. She is currently working at Miami University building accessibility procurement and policy. She worked at George Mason University prior for 9 years working closely with Enterprise Architecture reviewing accessibility. She works to ensure that Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliance of electronic and information technology (E&IT) is accessible to faculty, staff, students, and the public both with and without disabilities.