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Re: IAAP Certification Update

for

From: Ron
Date: Sep 10, 2015 12:39PM

Paul if you solicited feedback from the stakeholder communities why is it
that none of the leaders in the Higher Ed AT community that I have
contacted ever saw this survey? I think what you all are doing is great for
the vendor and government community. But trying to extend it beyond those
groups will be very problematic.

ATHEN was never included in the effort at all nor was AHEAD as far as I
have been able to ascertain. So I find it somewhat disingenuous to try
and develop a certification process that in all likelyhood will be totally
irrelevant in the IHE AT service provider space. Sounds like the RESNA ATP
all over again.

Ron Stewart

On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, Paul Bohman < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> I'm the Chair of the Certification Committee at the IAAP (International
> Association of Accessibility Professionals). We've recently updated the
> page about certification on the IAAP website to explain where we are in the
> process (http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/content.asp?contentid28
> )
> I've also included the full text below. I welcome any comments or
> questions.
> IAAP Certification The International Association of Accessibility
> Professionals (IAAP) will begin offering professional certification in
> 2016.
> Where We Are Now in the Process? Currently, the Job Task Analysis
> validation survey has been distributed to the accessibility community. The
> validation survey is used to define the core competencies of those working
> at an entry level in the accessibility industry. The validation survey is
> the foundation for the exam content outline (or blueprint) that will serve
> as the basis for all exam content.
>
> Once the survey results have been finalized, the exam content outline will
> be made publically available on the IAAP website.
>
> All accessibility professionals are encouraged to complete the validation
> survey which can be accessed at
> https://accessibilityassociation.formstack.com/forms/iaap_2015_ja
> The Process of Creating a Professional Certification Professional Testing
> (IAAP's exam development partner) outlines the critical steps necessary to
> develop a valid and reliable examination.
>
> Access the full certification process outline
> <
> http://iaap.membershipsoftware.org/files/Exam%20Development%20and%20Procedures%20Guidelines.pdf
> >
> .
> Goals of the Certification Program The IAAP certification program aspires
> to the following goals for accessibility certification:
>
> - To define what accessibility professionals are expected to know.
> - To increase the quality and consistency of the work performed by
> accessibility professionals.
> - To provide accessibility professionals with a credential as evidence
> of their commitment to the accessibility field, and of their competence
> within the field.
> - To provide employers, the accessibility community and the public with
> a metric to measure and assess the accessibility competence of current
> and/or prospective employees.
> - To provide colleges, universities, and vocational programs with clear
> educational outcomes and a curriculum outline for teaching
> accessibility.
> - To strengthen the community of practice among accessibility
> professionals.
>
> The Structure and Scope of the IAAP Certification Program The IAAP will
> offer two levels of certification: an associate level credential, and
> subsequent professional level credentials. Associate Level
>
> - *Foundation Level*: The Associate level credential is the entry level
> credential. It is the foundation upon which the Professional level
> certifications build.
> - *Broad and Conceptual*: This level covers a broad range of topics
> within accessibility, and the exam will be rigorous, but the exam
> questions
> will be mostly conceptual in nature, rather than technical.
>
> Professional Level
>
> - *Technical Detail*: Certifying at the professional level requires
> detailed technical knowledge of the domain. For example, accessibility
> professionals are expected to evaluate the accessibility of existing
> content or objects according to published technical standards and
> guidelines, and provide detailed remediation recommendations. They are
> expected to know and use the relevant technologies, not merely be aware
> of
> them.
> - *Multiple Professional Level Credentials*: The IAAP was conceived as
> an organization for all accessibility professionals across a wide range
> of
> accessibility domains, such as accessibility of the web, software,
> multimedia, documents, consumer products, industrial design,
> transportation, architecture and the built environment, etc. The IAAP
> will
> develop multiple professional level certification exams for multiple
> accessibility domains, depending on market demand.
> - *Focus First on Web Accessibility*: The first Professional level IAAP
> credential will focus on web accessibility.
>
> Certified Accessibility Associate (CAA) The Certified Accessibility
> Associate (CAA) credential is IAAP's foundational certification,
> representing the practical application of broad, cross-disciplinary
> conceptual knowledge about 1) disabilities, 2) accessibility and universal
> design, and 3) accessibility-related standards, laws, and management
> strategies.
>
> Relevant domains for the CAA credential include the web and other digital
> technologies, architecture and the built environment, consumer and
> industrial design, transportation systems, and any domain in which
> thoughtful design, policy, and management can improve disability access.
>
> The CAA is the ideal credential for those who manage and support
> accessibility, but who may not personally design, implement, or evaluate
> the technical details of accessible solutions. For those who do work at the
> technical level, IAAP will be working to create domain-specific
> professional credentials which build on the associate-level credential. The
> first professional level he IAAP is actively developing is the Certified
> Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). The IAAP will add other technical
> professional certification credentials in other domains in accordance with
> market and professional demand.
> Nature of the Certification Examination The IAAP wants accessibility
> professionals – and the employers who hire them – to recognize the value of
> IAAP credentials as a valid benchmark of a person's accessibility knowledge
> and skills. To meet this goal, the IAAP will work closely with
> accessibility professionals and assessment professionals to design the
> exams and test their reliability and validity. The IAAP will monitor the
> outcomes and continually assess the effectiveness of the exams to ensure
> the trustworthiness of all IAAP credentials.
>
> The exact nature and format of the test is to be determined. At this point,
> the IAAP anticipates that many questions will likely be in a format
> amenable to automated scoring, but some questions – especially at the
> professional level – may be more open-ended to allow for more nuanced,
> performance-based assessments of actual skills.
> Who Should Take the Associate Level Examination? The associate-level
> credential is intended for accessibility professionals, for those who
> manage accessibility outcomes, and for anyone who plays a key role in
> ensuring that the digital and physical worlds are accessible to people with
> disabilities including:
>
> - Accessibility professionals in any field (e.g. web design, software
> engineering, hardware engineering, consumer and industrial product
> design,
> transportation, architecture and the built environment, educational
> accommodations, etc.), whose job requires in-depth accessibility
> expertise.
> Accessibility professionals should also consider IAAP professional-level
> certification, if available for their area of expertise.*
> - Project, program, or portfolio managers and executive leaders
> overseeing initiatives or organizations that focus on accessibility, or
> which include accessibility as a key component.
> - Anyone whose job requires accessibility awareness or competence (e.g.
> technology professionals in diverse specializations, architects and
> urban
> planners, international development professionals, disability rights
> activists, lawmakers and legal counsel, media producers, recreation and
> hospitality providers, teachers and professors, health care providers,
> emergency response coordinators, salespeople and support staff at
> accessibility consulting companies, etc.).
>
> *Note: The associate-level certification is the terminal (final) IAAP
> credential for all careers except those for which a professional-level IAAP
> credential exists. Currently the only professional-level certification
> under development by the IAAP is for web accessibility. The IAAP will
> consider developing other specialized credentials in the future.
> When Will IAAP Offer the First Certification Examination? Registration for
> the associate level certification will be offered in the first quarter of
> 2016. The timeline for other professional level certifications is still to
> be determined.
> How Much Will the CAA Certification Examination Cost? The exam will be $325
> for members; $425 for non-members. We will also offer an emerging country
> rate at $150.
> What Content Will the CAA Certification Examination Include? While the exam
> blueprint is still in development, the chart below outlines the anticipated
> exam content.
>
> Anticipated Exam Content Topic Sub-Topic Disabilities Theoretical Models of
> Disability Types of Disabilities, Challenges, and Assistive
> Technologies Disability
> Demographics Disability Etiquette Accessibility and Universal Design
> Individual
> Accommodations versus Inclusive Design Benefits of Accessibility
> Accessibility
> Principles (WCAG 2.0) The Principles of Universal Design 2.0 Universal
> Design for Learning (UDL) Usability and User Experience (UX) Standards,
> Laws, and Management Strategies International Conventions and Treaties
> Accessibility
> Standards and Regulations National and Regional Laws Systematic
> Organizational Governance and Management
> Preparing for the CAA Certification Examination Certification Preparation
> Training The certification will be competency-based, which means that the
> IAAP will not require the completion of any kind of training. Successful
> certification will depend on one's score on the certification exam.
> Certificants will be able to study on their own, based on the content in
> the Body of Knowledge document, or they can take certification preparation
> courses if they choose.
>
> The IAAP does not currently offer an "official" IAAP certification
> preparation training curriculum. The plan is to leverage the existing
> third-party resources and services already in the market. Nearly all
> accessibility companies and consultants provide accessibility training as
> part of their business model, and information is available online in both
> free and paid formats. The IAAP will publish a list of vetted certification
> training providers for the benefit of those seeking exam preparation
> training.
> Maintaining Certification IAAP certification is valid for 3 years. Every
> three years, certificants will be required to
>
> - Complete a certain number of continuing education credits (to be
> determined) a portion of which must be offered or approved by IAAP
> - Submit an application for certification renewal.
>
> Individuals do not need to retake any of the exams to maintain their
> certification unless they allow their certification to lapse.
>
> As technologies and professional expectations evolve, these renewal
> requirements are subject to change.
> Continuing Education Units (CEUs) The IAAP will offer continuing education
> units (CEUs) for classes, workshops, webcasts, conference attendance, and
> other similar IAAP-sponsored activities. The IAAP will implement a process
> to allow other organizations or individuals to offer IAAP-approved
> continuing education credits for similar career-enhancing educational
> opportunities.
>
> Types of Activities that May Qualify for Continuing Education Credits:
>
> - Attending classes, workshops, webinars, and other educational events
> about accessibility
> - Preparing or presenting educational materials about accessibility
> - Publishing articles, books, blogs, or other publications about
> accessibility
> - Mentoring others in accessibility
> - Speaking engagements at IAAP or other approved educational event
> - Volunteer service with IAAP
>
> The IAAP is at the early stages of considering CEU options, so further
> research and public discussion of the options is necessary before deciding
> on an official CEU policy.
>
> The Qualifications of the Certification Team The certification process at
> IAAP is in good hands with our headquarters and volunteer leadership team.
> Here are abbreviated biographical sketches of some of the key players:
> *Paul Bohman, PhD, Chair of the IAAP Certification Committee*
> Dr. Paul Bohman has been the Chair of the IAAP Certification Committee
> since its inception and has steered the process through the formative
> stages, from the initial concepts to the more concrete proposals currently
> under consideration. He is also Director of Training at Deque Systems, a
> web accessibility software and consulting company based in the Washington
> DC area. At Deque he has created the Deque University platform, which is a
> custom learning management system for teaching web accessibility, and has
> personally created or overseen the creation of a complete web accessibility
> curriculum of online self-paced courses. He also travels frequently to
> provide instructor-led training on web accessibility to clients.
>
> His doctoral dissertation
> <
> http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article#64&;context=etd
> >
> investigated web accessibility in the higher education curriculum in three
> different countries, and his doctoral studies included extensive training
> in research design, assessment design and evaluation, statistics, learning
> and instructional theory, psychology, sociology, and social justice.
> Previously Dr. Bohman taught web accessibility at George Mason University,
> participated in the creation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
> 2.0, and was a founding member of WebAIM with Cyndi Rowland. At WebAIM, Dr.
> Bohman created a full web accessibility curriculum (at that time based on
> WCAG 1.0), some of which is still available on the WebAIM site. He also
> created the WebAIM listserv, which continues to be one of the most active
> groups on the internet for discussing web accessibility.
> *Christine Murphy Peck, IAAP CEO*
> Christine Murphy Peck is the CEO of the IAAP. She holds 29 years of
> experience in nonprofit management, certification management, education
> strategy development, corporate education and facilitation and strategic
> planning. Peck currently leads the SmithBucklin Washington, D.C. team
> responsible for implementing educational strategy, program design and
> delivery, eLearning, certification and accreditation, with a focus on
> outcomes and client growth.
>
> Previously, Peck founded Peck Performance Group, a consulting practice
> serving clients in the areas of education, training and organizational
> development, and served as president and chief learning officer. She served
> for seven years as the director of education and learning of the U.S.
> Tennis Association, where she established a full-service educational center
> providing professional development and educational resources to staff and
> volunteers in more than 1,000 community-based organizations. She has worked
> extensively with nonprofit organizations, including start-ups and
> turnarounds, helping these organizations develop to their full potential
> while managing multiple projects with combined budgets of more than $20
> million.
> *Dr. Reed Castle* IAAP's partners with Professional Testing Inc. an
> independent testing company that provides assistance with exam development,
> administration, and scoring. Professional Testing develops, administers,
> and maintains licensure and certification examination programs.
> Professional Testing staff guide the exam development activities and have
> extensive psychometric and test development experience.
>
> Dr. Reed Castle is the leads the exam development activities from
> Professional Testing. Dr. Castle has over 25 years of experience in
> psychometrics and exam development and has assisted with development in
> with a multitude of examinations over his career. In his current capacity,
> he oversees and provides consultation to a variety of clients by directing
> psychometric services with respect to credentialing examinations and
> providing NCCA and ANSI/ISO 17024 accreditation assistance. He successfully
> evaluates client needs to implement best management practices Dr. Castle
> has his PhD in Quantitative and Qualitative Methods with an emphasis in
> Measurement, Statistics, and Research Design from the University of
> Nebraska-Lincoln, a Masters in Educational and Counseling Psychology with
> an emphasis in Measurement and Statistics from the University of
> Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelors in Psychology from University of
> Missouri-Columbia.
> *The Certification Committee* The Certification Committee is the governing
> body of the professional certification program. Their mission is to assure
> a comprehensive level of knowledge through certification in the
> accessibility profession. The Certification Committee is responsible for
> establishing the policies and procedures that guide the professional
> certification program.
>
> The Certification Committee is comprised of experts from across the
> accessibility industry. The Committee represents multiple areas of
> accessibility to ensure that all interests are represented.
>
> The Certification Committee consists of the following individuals:
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD, Director of Training, Deque Systems, Inc. (Chair)
> Arlington, Virginia, USA
>
> Katie Haritos Shea, Senior Accessibility Subject Matter Expert
> (WCAG/Section 508/ADA/AODA)
> Oakton, Virginia, USA
>
> Allen Hoffman, Office of Accessible Systems & Technology, Department of
> Homeland Security Washington, DC, USA
>
> Jay Cardinali, Worldwide Accessibility Manager, Walt Disney Parks and
> Resorts
> Orlando, Florida, USA
>
> Ken Nakata, Director, Accessibility Consulting Practice, Cryptzone
> Seattle, Washington, USA
>
> Robert Pearson, Accessiblity Officer, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
> Valorie Sundby, Web Accessibility Specialist, Self, Modis - 5280 Solutions
> Littleton, Colorado, USA
>
> Nigel Lewis, CEO, AbilityNet
> London, United Kingdom
>
> David MacDonald, President, CanAdapt Solutions Inc.
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>
> Cristopher Broyles, Director of Digital Accessibility/Chief Accessibility
> Officer, Perkins School for the Blind
> Boston, Massachussetts, USA
>
> Christian Vinten-Johansen, IT Manager, Pennsylvania State University
> State College, Pennsylvania, USA
>
> Kevin Prince, IT Accessibility Consultant, Access1in5
> Christchurch, New Zealand
>
> JoAnne Juett, Integration Specialist, HighPoint Global
> Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD
> Director of Training, Deque Systems, Inc
> 703-225-0380, ext.121
> https://DequeUniversity.com
> > > > >