Commercial Integrator November 2022 - 36

ACCESSIBILITY Embracing Inclusion
Championing
Accessibility
Higher-Ed
Vertical
IN
THE
Higher-education-conversant AV experts reveal why
accessibility is more than just a box to check and advise
integrators on how to implement accessible learning
environments. By Amala Reddie
TECHNOLOGY CAN CHANGE LIVES.
Although a cliché statement, it rings true
in all aspects. When the pandemic struck,
AV solutions - for example, videoconferencing
platforms, livestreaming and
hybrid-learning technology - facilitated
remote work and learning across the world.
What was once seen as a " nice-to-have "
became an essential part of our lives.
However, these solutions did more than
just enhance our experiences; they showed
how technology can provide a universal
environment that includes everyone.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Certainly, in the last few years, we've seen
leaders in the AV industry take a stand,
championing diversity, equity and inclusion
and integrating it into their business
practices. However, we often forget that
inclusion also includes providing accessibility
resources to people with disabilities.
Although this principle applies to all
verticals, it plays an especially crucial role
in K-12 and higher-education environments
where it is essential that all students and
professors are able to participate in learning
opportunities.
In this article, Iowa State University's
Mike Pedersen, Johns Hopkins Universi36
ty's
Erin Maher-Moran, Tufts University's
Josh Kaufman and Listen Technologies'
Sam Nord offer their expertise, where
they highlight the importance of fostering
accessible technologies and environments
in the higher-education market. Moreover,
they explore emerging technologies that
have helped create more accessible and
inclusive classrooms in which all faculty can
teach, and all students can learn.
Accessibility: A Prerequisite
As Kaufman, campus AV coordinator with
Tufts, puts it, learning forms the core of
an individual's personal and professional
growth. " From a student's perspective,
it provides a myriad of opportunities and
access to resources, " he explains. " However,
we need to ensure that all have access
to these learning opportunities. " Picking up
on that point, Maher-Moran, IT manager for
classroom technology with Johns Hopkins,
states, " Accessibility is important, as it levels
the playing field for everyone, whether
they are at a financial disadvantage or they
have disabilities. "
Certainly, the integration of accessible
technologies plays a major role in providing
those learning opportunities. As Pedersen,
audiovisual experience manager at Iowa
Commercial Integrator NOVEMBER 2022
State, proclaims, " While technology
can have a positive
or negative impact on other
areas, like racism or sexism,
the impact technology can
have to fight ableism is obvious,
direct and dramatic. " He
counsels further, " This is an
area we can and should strive
to support as technology providers. "
Nord, vice president of global sales at
Listen, expresses his agreement. He also
points out how our industry manufactures,
sells and installs the very tools that help
people with disabilities. According to
Nord, " When we have these tools at our
disposal, it is vitally important that we [do
our part to] make classrooms and other
environments more accessible. "
The Changing Tide of the Pandemic
By shutting down in-person gathering
spaces, the pandemic brought everyone
together onto one platform - a digital one.
Besides this, however, the pandemic also
elevated conversations on the need for
accessibility in higher-education environments.
" [That is] the one good thing that
came out of the pandemic, " Maher-Moran
states. " It shone a light on the fact that not
commercialintegrator.com
http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Integrator November 2022
