Committee Members
- Lisa Anderson, Office of the Provost, Chair
- Lawrence Angrave, Grainger College of Engineering
- Nick Baumgartner, Deputy ADA Coordinator for IT Accessibility *
- Michel Bellini, Center for Innovation, Teaching and Learning
- Bob Dignan, Center for Innovation, Teaching and Learning
- Kiara Drake, ADA Coordinator Office
- Ingrid Fulmer, Office of the Provost, ex officio
- Pamela Hadley, College of Applied Health Sciences
- Keith Hays, Digital Accessibility Architect *
- Nancy Hightower, Gies College of Business
- Fatima Husain, College of Applied Health Sciences
- John Laskowski, University Library
- Matthew McNeilly, Office of the Chief Information Officer
- Brett Schnepper, Office of University Counsel
- JooYoung Seo, School of Information Sciences
- Heather Stout, Disability Resources and Educational Services
- Jennifer Teper, University Library
- Chantelle Thompson, Student Affairs
- Marc Thompson, Center for Innovation, Teaching and Learning
- Katie Watson, Strategic Communications and Marketing
Senior Champions Group (auxiliary group that is advisory to chair and committee)
- Brooke Elliott, Dean of Gies College of Business
- Ingrid Fulmer, Office of the Provost (Liaison for Senior Champions Group with advisory committee)
- Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, Dean of College of Applied Health Sciences
- Kevin Jackson, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
- Emily Knox, School of Information Sciences
- Kristi Kuntz, Office of the Provost
- Mairéad Martin, Chief Information Officer
- Nolan Miller, Faculty Senate and Gies College of Business
- Claire Stewart, Dean of Libraries
Charge Letter
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to appoint and charge each of you as members of the Digital Accessibility and Excellence Advisory Committee, which will serve in a consultative capacity to the recently created role of the Digital Accessibility Architect at the University of Illinois. Specifically, this committee will provide advice and recommendations as needed to Keith Hays, the inaugural Digital Accessibility Architect, on the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II digital accessibility requirements at Illinois. The term of this committee will begin immediately and run through June 30, 2026.
This committee is the successor to the Digital Accessibility and Excellence Steering Committee, whose efforts helped initiate and guide the ADA Title II transition process from May 2024 to June 2025 and whose recommendations successfully led to creation of the new formal role of Digital Accessibility Architect in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). The Digital Accessibility Architect is formally responsible for overseeing Illinois’ compliance with the ADA Title II requirements, with the continued support and advice of the members of the Digital Accessibility and Excellence Advisory Committee. Thank you for agreeing to serve on this important committee. Your advice, diverse expertise and commitment to accessibility will play a crucial role in ensuring that our digital platforms are inclusive and comply with the evolving standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), published on April 24, 2024.
Given our university’s esteemed history as a leader in accessibility, we are positioned to set the standard once again for inclusive practices in the digital realm. Our university’s contributions to the field of accessible design have had a lasting impact in urban planning and physical infrastructure worldwide. We embrace the opportunity to once again be pioneers in creating digitally accessible environments.
Drawing inspiration from our legacy, the Advisory Committee will provide support and advice as we move forward with the adaptations required by the new Title II requirements. Specifically, we ask the committee to meet at least once per semester, and on other occasions as needed or requested by the Digital Accessibility Architect, to provide input and updates on matters relevant to our ongoing compliance with upcoming changes required by ADA Title II.
Senior Champions Group
This Advisory Committee and Keith Hays, the Digital Accessibility Architect, will be supported in certain activities by the Senior Champions Group. The Senior Champions Group will primarily assist with outreach and advocacy, serving as champions to the wider university community in support of the University’s mandate and activities. They will assist with specific events and activities on behalf of the committee, including delivering/co-delivering presentations to key stakeholder groups. They will also be available to the Advisory Committee chair, the Digital Accessibility Architect, and others for consultation on an as-needed basis. This group is considered auxiliary to the advisory committee; this means that champions are welcome (but not expected) to attend regular advisory committee meetings. The Advisory Committee chair or the Digital Accessibility Architect may call special meetings of the Senior Champions Group, if needed, or otherwise solicit assistance from the group or individual champions.
Thank you for accepting this responsibility, and we look forward to the positive impact that the Advisory Committee will have in advancing our commitment to ensuring all students can fully benefit from accessible online materials and resources provided by the university.
Sincerely,
John Coleman
Provost
Mairéad Martin
Vice Provost for IT and Chief Information Officer