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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I feel that they’re similar to A+ certifications for computer hardware support. There are no jobs requiring these certifications and hardware/software are updating to new technologies on a yearly basis. As a
beginner to the field, these could be invaluable, but as someone who works with diversity and inclusion, and see that they only have 2 testing centers for AT users (both on the East Coast) and 1000 testing centers for non-AT users (across the nation), which
doesn’t make me want to run out and get their certification (I also use TTS and screen overlays, which isn’t listed on their site as an accommodation). So how would they get me up to speed when they themselves can’t be inclusive?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Now if they were to focus on the future of accessibility, I’d be all over it. I would love to see more of what’s going on at Case Western Reserve:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4M6BTYRlKQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4M6BTYRlKQ</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Joshua Hori<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Accessible Technology Analyst<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">University of California, Davis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Student Disability Center<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">54 Cowell Building<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Davis, CA 95616<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Note: Take my advice with a grain of salt as I have no certifications, although I do focus on AT research with the MIND institute and an authored book on
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Assisting-Students-Disabilities-Professional-ebook/dp/B014XVYISQ/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">
AT usage in medical fields</a> (ugh, time to update).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces@mailman13.u.washington.edu]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Nast, Joseph<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 5, 2017 9:36 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list@u.washington.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Athen] What's Your Take? AT Certifications in Higher Ed<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Darren Gabbert’s definitive 2009 ATHEN E-Journal #44 white paper entitled “Certification and Training Opportunities for Access Technologists
in Higher Education: A Survey of Resources” (</span><a href="https://athenpro.org/node/90"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">https://athenpro.org/node/90</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">)
concludes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">“>From a certification standpoint, we are a people without a country.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Mr. Gabbert’s research finds most assistive technology degree programs and certifications emphasize PT\OT, medical, or rehabilitation-centric
training. Eight years on, and the casual observer would still be hard pressed to find otherwise.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">However, I’ve noticed that IAAP is now offering CPACC and WAS certifications (</span><a href="http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certificationapplication"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certificationapplication</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">).
The IAAP is a relatively young organization, but they seem to have put a lot of work into creating industry certifications specifically for web accessibility. Considering the trajectory that many types of compensatory assistive technologies have taken towards
mobile and web-based solutions, having this type of certification seems valuable to assistive technologists in higher education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">So what’s your take on IAAP’s certification offerings and\or the dearth of higher education-focused AT professional training? Considering
the not-insignificant costs of testing and\or study materials, is it “worth it” to pursue certs like RESNA’s ATP or CSUN’s ATACP? Are web accessibility certifications more applicable to post-secondary AT para\professionals?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Thanks for your input!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Joseph M. Nast<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Assistive Technology Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Lone Star College Cy Fair Disability Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Office: CASA 109<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Phone: (281) 290-3207<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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