Cara Idol
Littleton,CO
Summary
Digital Accessibility Specialist passionate about creating inclusive digital experiences for all. Proven ability to integrate accessibility best practices throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring compliance with WCAG and other relevant standards. Skilled in accessibility testing, training, and collaboration to foster a culture of accessibility within organizations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Instructional Designer of Accessibility and UDL
Arapahoe Community College
02.2018 - Current
- Implement applicable federal and state laws, policies, regulations, and Section 508, WCAG standards
- Review Arapahoe Community College materials and course learning content for digital accessibility and Section 508 conformance
- Perform accessibility remediation of documents and webpages for Arapahoe Community College materials
- Collaborate with all instructional departments to implement accessible software and materials
- Review software and materials for CTE Perkins grant proposal
- Create web-accessible fillable forms
- Reach out to vendors to evaluate available curriculums and associated materials primarily for accessibility and accommodation needs
- College YuJa Video Platform and YuJa Panorama Accessibility Checker administrator
- Work with assistive technologies, including ReadSpeaker, Kurzweil 3000, NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver
- Collaborate with Disability Access Services to create, remediate, and manage LMS and materials for students with accommodations
- Perform workshops to bring awareness and train on digital accessibility and UDL guidelines and practices
- Design course materials and supported implementation focusing on accessibility and Universal Design Learning
- Implement principles, concepts, methods, and techniques of Universal Design Learning; standards, requirements, and regulations regarding confidentiality of information
- Employ pedagogy, constructivism, and Quality Matters principles to create course curricula
- Collaborate with administrators to determine course objectives
- Create curricula, research topics, and conceptualize course format, subject matter, and presentation
- Effectively implement best practices and adult learning principles in planning and creation of instructional materials
- Plan and monitor implementation of technology-based learning programs
- Contribute to the development of comprehensive instructor training courses
- Support deployment of learning programs including uploading and updating courseware and curricula, training assignments, learner notification text, and rules in LMS
- Utilize knowledge of LMS capabilities to recommend delivery strategies that yield rich, meaningful, and dynamic end-user experience
- Utilize LMS reporting capabilities and develop custom reports to assist with planning and managing the school's training and development initiatives to best support students
- Organize, schedule, and facilitate 8 - 15 week-long courses based on need
- Team with subject matter experts in evaluation and revision of training tools to continually improve accessible learning platforms
- Work closely with instructors to prepare online materials, content, and tools to facilitate training globally
- Design, implement, and manage successful training programs to meet department and school needs
Adjunct Instructor
Arapahoe Community College
08.2019 - Current
- Create and implement course agendas, lesson plans, and activities to successfully meet course objectives
- Define and articulate learning outcomes and monitor student progress adapted learning plans to optimize student progress
- Educate students on multimedia and online teaching applying a variety of instructional techniques, including hands-on curriculum
- Implement and enhance new curriculum and day-to-day instruction to align educational strategies with industry best practices
- Create accessible course materials
- Employ Universal Design Learning, Quality Matters, pedagogy, and constructivism principles to create course curricula
- Collaborate with program chair and eLearning director to create dynamic, ongoing curriculum development
- Use lectures, discussions, and demonstrations to increase learning and classroom success
- Use technological equipment to enhance process of students' learning
Tutor, Special Needs Students
Arapahoe Community College
08.2020 - Current
- Increased student comprehension by utilizing personalized teaching methods and adapting to individual learning styles.
- Promoted critical thinking skills through engaging activities and consistent reinforcement of complex concepts.
- Collaborated with fellow tutors to develop effective strategies for addressing diverse student needs and abilities.
- Enhanced students'' understanding of subject matter by incorporating real-world examples into lessons.
- Established positive relationships with both students and parents, fostering open communication regarding academic progress and goals.
- Implemented creative instructional techniques to address the unique challenges faced by students with learning differences.
- Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions, tailoring instruction to meet the specific needs of each student while promoting independent learning skills.
Open Education Resource Accessibility Specialist
Arapahoe Community College
05.2021 - 03.2022
- Collaborate with Open Education Resources (OER) committee and instructors to strategize and implement applicable federal and state laws, policies, regulations, WCAG 2.x standards
- Review OER for accessibility and Section 508 conformance
- Perform accessibility remediation of OER documents and webpages
- Create web-accessible fillable forms
- Reach out to vendors to evaluate available curriculums and associated materials primarily for accessibility and accommodation needs
- Work with assistive technologies including ReadSpeaker, NVDA, and JAWS
Education
Master of Science - The Learning Experience And Educational Technology
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT12.2024
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Visual Art
Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MDAssociate of Arts - Music
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, COSkills
Technical Skills:
- Accessibility Standards and Guidelines: The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Section 508, Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG)
- Accessibility Testing Tools: Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack), automated testing tools (ANDI, aXe, WAVE), manual testing techniques
- Documentation creation and remediation: Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publish), PDFs, other document and slide deck materials
- Video Captioning and Audio Transcription: Understanding of different captioning formats (closed captions, open captions, subtitles) and familiarity with relevant tools and platforms
- Coding experience: Familiarity with front-end development languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be advantageous for understanding and fixing accessibility issues
- Assistive Technologies: Screen readers, screen magnifiers, alternative input devices, speech recognition software
- Learning Management Systems (D2L, Moodle, and Canvas)
Soft Skills:
- Communication: Ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds
- Collaboration: Work effectively with developers, designers, content creators, and other stakeholders to integrate accessibility into the development process
- Problem-solving: Identify and troubleshoot accessibility barriers and propose effective solutions
- Attention to detail: Meticulous and detail-oriented to ensure thorough testing and adherence to accessibility standards
- Advocacy: Promote the importance of digital accessibility and educate others about its benefits
Additional Knowledge:
- User-centered design principles
- Understanding of different disabilities and their impact on digital accessibility
- Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in digital accessibility
- Project management: Skills in managing accessibility projects and timelines can be helpful in larger organizations
- Universal Design Learning (UDL): Applying UDL principles to ensure learning materials are accessible to diverse learners
- Learning Experience Design (LXD): Creating engaging and accessible learning experiences for all users
- Teaching and learning strategies: Implementing effective strategies to promote accessibility in educational settings
- Instructional and curriculum design: Developing accessible instructional materials and curriculum that cater to diverse learning needs
- Quality Matters (QM) standards and peer reviewer: Understanding and applying QM standards in online learning environments
Certification
- International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Certified Professionals in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)
- OAST Digital Accessibility
- WebAim Accessibility
- Arapahoe Community College Leadership Academy
- Arapahoe Community College Microsoft Remediation
- ASCEND Advancement Program
- Butler Community College Accessibility
- Career and Technical Education in Colorado
- Colorado Community College System Essentials of Online Teaching
- Colorado School of Mines Accessibility Course for Education
- National Center on Accessible Education Materials
- Quality Matters – Independent Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR): (Statewide Systems)
- Quality Matters – Peer Reviewer Course (PRC)
Current Committees
- Colorado Online Accessibility
- Colorado Online Learning Design Community of Practice – Professional Development Subcommittee
- Arapahoe Community College Perkins Grant Advisory
- Quality Matters Arapahoe Community College Coordinator
- Arapahoe Community College OER – OER Data Subcommittee
Timeline
Open Education Resource Accessibility Specialist
Arapahoe Community College
05.2021 - 03.2022
Tutor, Special Needs Students
Arapahoe Community College
08.2020 - Current
Adjunct Instructor
Arapahoe Community College
08.2019 - Current
Instructional Designer of Accessibility and UDL
Arapahoe Community College
02.2018 - Current
Master of Science - The Learning Experience And Educational Technology
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Visual Art
Maryland Institute College Of Art
Associate of Arts - Music
Arapahoe Community College
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