WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: IAAP Certification Update

for

From: Ron
Date: Sep 10, 2015 7:15PM

Thanks Paul I appreciate the clarifications.
On Sep 10, 2015 2:33 PM, "Paul Bohman" < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Ron,
>
> Thanks for providing some feedback.
>
> The IAAP certification credentials are aimed at people who create and
> design accessible virtual and real environments. This includes things in
> the IT space -- like web sites, software, documents, multimedia, etc. --
> and can include things in the physical space like consumer and industrial
> products, transportation systems, architecture, etc. Our target audience is
> designers, developers, and engineers (and the people who manage them, or
> who test the quality of their output).
>
> Our target audience is not the service sector of AT professionals who work
> directly with people with disabilities. In fact, many of the people who
> would receive IAAP credentials will not work with people with disabilities
> at all. They will instead be designing environments -- virtual or physical
> -- that people of all kinds will access, including those with disabilities.
> The goal of an accessibility professional in this context is to create
> environments that are universally accessible to the broadest range of
> people possible.
>
> We expect the IAAP credentials to be useful in private industry,
> government, higher education, and any context that employs designers,
> developers, or engineers.
>
> So the audience for IAAP is not the same audience as for RESNA or any other
> group of assistive technology professionals. There is some overlap, but not
> as much as it may seem on the surface.
>
> The survey has been distributed primarily to IAAP members up to this point,
> because that is the target audience, but we welcome input from
> accessibility professionals who may not be IAAP members. The survey is
> still open, by the way, so feel free to contribute your responses.
>
>
>
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD
> Director of Training, Deque Systems, Inc
> 703-225-0380, ext.121
> https://DequeUniversity.com
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 2:39 PM, Ron < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> > 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
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > >