[ATcoord] Spreading the word

[Mary Gerard]

Hey everyone,

Doing accessibility work for so long has taught me that accessibility can be infectious! And who doesn't enjoy a shout-out for doing great work?

Our college has a monthly e-publication called Notable News. Employees submit stories, accolades, etc. Our Title II Steering Committee decided to start our A11y Champion of the Month and spotlight one employee each month who does exceptional accessibility work for the campus. Here is the inaugural blurb:

Did you know? Accessibility has 11 letters between the A and the Y? It is abbreviated A11y - and this is our first announcement naming our A11y Champion of the Month! Our A11y Champion of the Month is... MELISA NELSON!

Melisa has been an outstanding member of the BTC Accessibility Team for many years and has incorporated accessibility into all her work as Purchasing Director. Just a few examples of Melisa's attention to accessibility practices:


*        Melisa created a Purchasing SharePoint site using accessibility tools to ensure it can be readable by anyone, including people who use screen readers.

*        Melisa's training courses are accessibly constructed, using multiple modes of delivery and Universal Design to ensure folks doing the training can choose the way they learn best.

*        Melisa partners with Christian Campbell in CISS to make sure BTC complies with accessibility guidelines/law in everything we purchase as a college.


Congratulations Melisa, BTC A11y Champion, May 2025!

Melisa was blown away and so delighted. We are going to try to get donations from our Foundation so there can be a little prize too. I offer this to you as an idea for your colleges. It's low effort, makes someone feel good, bringing them more fully into the work. Be loud! That's how we make change!!

[cid:image005.jpg at 01DBC641.D0F877C0]<https://www.btc.edu/>Mary Gerard, M.Ed.
Director
Accessibility Resources
Bellingham Technical College<http://www.btc.edu/>
3028 Lindbergh Ave. | Bellingham, WA 98225
Call: 360.752.8576 | Office: College Services Room 106C

[SBCTC Accessibility Proponent Badge - dark blue flag shape badge reading Accessibility Proponent in white letters on blue background with the SBCTC insignia across a white banner]<https://api.badgr.io/public/assertions/ECIZSYK0QveqjPqOqFzXPw?identity__email=mgerard%40btc.edu> [https://api.badgr.io/public/assertions/51bDdl7CSMChRvhpb19vAA/image] <https://api.badgr.io/public/assertions/51bDdl7CSMChRvhpb19vAA?identity__email=mgerard%40btc.edu>

Mission: Bellingham Technical College provides student-centered,
high-quality professional technical education
for todays need's and tomorrow's opportunities.

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