The Development of a Distance Learning Toolkit for the Higher Education Community at CUNY: CUNY Accessibility Conference 2020

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Colleges and Universities quickly made the transition to online learning platforms. The Student Accessibility Support Center at Stony Brook University realized that students with accommodations would encounter new barriers in this online environment. Many online testing platforms do not provide for full accessibility for students, especially for those that use assistive technology. SASC was able to adapt by creating a format for virtual proctoring via Zoom. We have developed best practices for proctoring, which were shared with other local institutions. Through Zoom proctoring, we were able to better assist our students who were limited by these online testing platforms. Working with students and faculty alike, we were able to create a whole new system for testing that was able to accommodate all of our students’ unique needs.

This new online system for testing included a new scheduling tool, new forms to communicate with instructors, a Zoom Proctoring training for our proctors, and FAQ for faculty members. Under the new system, students and instructors both were actively involved in the scheduling process for exams. By looking at virtual proctoring models from other colleges and universities, we were able to pick and choose what elements would work best for our specific students’ needs. Our proctor training aimed to educate our employees on our new proctoring methods, procedures and protocols. This presentation aims to educate other members of higher education about our new online testing system in an attempt to make online testing more accessible to all students, not just our Stony Brook Seawolves.

Charmaine Townsell is the University Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion at CUNY Central, Co-Chair of the CUNY Council of Student Disability Issues (COSDI), Liaison for the LGBTQI+ Directors Council and the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD) with efforts focused on keeping them updated on and interpreting University policies, budgets, and Council concerns. Charmaine focuses her engagement on Students with Disabilities, LGBTQI+ Students, Immigrant Students, Student Veterans, and Students from different faith traditions to identify priorities, celebrate diversity and encourage collaboration and empowerment. Charmaine’s also a proud recipient of the 10th Annual CUNY Accessibility Conference Award of Appreciation.

Raymond Perez has twelve years of experience in higher education disability services administration. He began at Brooklyn College as an Assistive Technology Specialist, transitioned to a Disability Accommodation Specialist and then a CUNY LEADS counselor. Ray also went on to serve as the Assistant Director of Disability Services at Baruch College, and today is the Director of Disability Services, Veteran Affairs, head of the CUNY Learning Disabilities Project and the office of Testing at Hostos Community College. Ray also serves as faculty at CUNY and proudly serves as the Advisor of the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD).

Lennyn Jacob is a student activist and most proud to be a loving mother of a neurodiverse son with autism. She served for 12 years as a Teaching Assistant for special needs children with the DOE in the Bronx and chose to further her education at Bronx Community College where she currently serves as the Vice President of the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD) at BCC, majoring in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Lennyn then was elected as Secretary for the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD), the university-wide group that represents more than 11,000 students with disabilities.