Accessibility and flexibility with Ally: the faculty perspective

Session Description:

Ally in Blackboard seamlessly makes digital course content more accessible. Ally Pilot participants are removing barriers and adding flexibility to help students learn. A panel of faculty will present their perspectives and experiences on the Ally adoption journey. We will also share resources available to all STCC faculty to help implement Ally.

Presenters:

Eileen Cusick is a professor in LAPS/ Business Department, and teaches office and information technologies- related courses. She started at STCC in 1992, in the IT Department, and transitioned to full-time teaching in 2014. Eileen’s career experience includes positions in the telecommunications industry, desktop publishing, and at the Smithsonian Institution. Eileen holds an MBA (Information Systems), and a MAMT (Mathematics), from WNEU.

John Diffley is a professor of history at STCC. John also serves as the Coordinator for both the Liberal Arts/General Studies Program as well as the Commonwealth Honors Program. Diffley earned a Master of Arts in History and an advanced Certificate in Public History from UMASS Amherst. John also earned a Juris Doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law and is admitted to practice under the Massachusetts and Connecticut Bars.

Marisha Marks joined STCC in September of 2020, after seven years as an instructional designer at UMass, Amherst. Marisha’s area of interest is in accessibility and Universal Design. She is currently leading CODL course accessibility initiatives, including deploying the Ally in Blackboard accessibility tool, and increasing accessibility awareness through self-paced tutorials and workshops.

Sondra Peron is Associate Professor teaching photography, philosophy, and honors seminars in contemporary art at STCC since 2011. She also serves as gallery coordinator curating and presenting regional and local artists for exhibit at the Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery. She earned her M.F.A. in photography and studio art from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, and graduated from Smith College with her B.A. in philosophy.

Jennifer Wallace-Johnson is a longtime Springfield Technical Community (STCC) College employee who has served in roles within Campus Safety, Student Support Services, and Academic Affairs. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Social Work, as a co-chair of the Hispanic Association in Higher Education at STCC, and a Board of trustee at the Martin Luther King Charter School of Excellence in Springfield, MA.