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WashU IT OCM team engages in accessibility training for enhanced skills and greater inclusivity 

The IT Organizational Change Management (OCM) team has embarked on a journey to deepen their knowledge and professional skills in accessibility, defined as the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities.

The initiative aligns with the WashU IT Customer Experience Plan, which aims “to make our customers feel confident, valued, and uniquely understood by providing IT services and support that are transparent, seamless, and accessible,” and is guided by WashU IT’s principle of committing to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

The team has engaged in the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)’s Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) training. Angi Ruble, Technical Training Lead, and David Gómez Jaimes and Ahmad Ali, IT Learning and Development Specialists, developed a specialized training program based on the IAAP CPACC body of knowledge, and the team participated in 12, weekly guided discussions, each moderated by a different team member. 

Julie Martin, another IT Learning and Development Specialist and a participant in the training, found the experience eye-opening. “I already knew about some of the assistive elements that we use in our daily work, such as alt tags in the metadata and closed captioning to accompany audio, but I learned about so many more things we can do to help get our information to everyone searching for it,” she reflected.

Martin’s biggest takeaway was a shift in perspective. “It really hit me when I heard the phrase ‘remove the barriers.’ For example, if someone uses a wheelchair to get from point A to point B and there are no ramps, only steps, there is a barrier preventing them from getting to point B. We, as a community that focuses on information, need to be aware of the tools our community relies on to get the information and remove any barriers preventing them from accessing it.” 

Angi Ruble emphasized that “the subject is broad, ever-changing, and offers much to learn,” but also stressed that ignoring the need for accessibility because “the effort is just ‘too hard’” is not an option. When discussing how the training will support OCM’s efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the university, Ruble noted that while achieving 100% accessibility immediately is not feasible, “committing to equity, diversity, and inclusion is committing to serving all people in the WashU community.” OCM is dedicated to “striving to communicate and educate everyone in ways that equitably meet their needs, regardless of differences in ability, and providing suitable alternatives whenever possible.”