Meet Kellie Grasman, Digital Accessibility Specialist! Learn how Kellie is addressing accessibility in digital, physical, and event spaces while developing learning opportunities and tools to support accessibility across LSA.
Q: What is your role in LSA Technology Services?
A: I started in my role with LSA Technology Services as a Digital Accessibility Specialist in December 2023. At the time, my position was totally new, with expectations of promoting equitable access for everyone in LSA through digital accessibility best practices. In April 2024, an updated ADA Title II rule accelerated the pace of this work. Throughout the past year, I've collaborated with teams in LSA Technology Services, across LSA, and throughout the university to help make all our digital spaces accessible.
Q: What is your background and how does it influence your work?
A: I'm an engineer by education and a problem solver by nature, so both of those help me tackle the complex and novel situations that my role involves. I'm also a teacher at heart and spent most of my recent career as a college instructor, so I love to help people learn and apply new information to their lives. And I raised three boys who all navigated disability so my current role lets me put all that together to advance accessibility in LSA!
Q: Are you working on any interesting projects?
A: So many interesting projects! We're exploring web accessibility tools that will help us get LSA's over one million web pages into shape. I'm part of a campus-wide team that's integrating accessibility tools in Canvas. And I'm working with folks across all three academic campuses to develop resources and training to help everyone learn about accessibility and implement best practices into their roles.
Q: What is the most enjoyable part of working in LSA Technology Services?
The best part of working in LSA Technology Services is undoubtedly all the fantastic people I've met. Everyone has been eager to answer my many questions, explain how things work, and offer support and expertise. The people make for a great culture!
Q: Do you have any professional goals for yourself in the new year?
In the coming year, I hope to share more widely all the efforts that we've been working on behind the scenes! Be on the lookout for a new LSA website addressing accessibility in digital, physical, and event spaces that also has information on new learning opportunities and better tools to support web and course content accessibility.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the office?
A: Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family—both the humans and puppies! We have three dogs, including a puppy named Phineas.
Q: Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I don't get to do it much these days, but I love to travel to novel places. I've been to Russia, Australia, Fiji, and Morocco. I always try the local food at least once. When I was at a university cafeteria in Spain with some locals, I ordered conejo thinking it would be great to try the daily special. I was served half a roasted rabbit on a plate - ear included! And yes, I did eat it, but definitely not the ear!
