Hermann shares insights on creating accessible and inclusive ecosystems for learners

University of Phoenix is pleased to share that Vice President of Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion, Kelly Hermann, joined the proceedings of the 2024 Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Conference, held July 15-19 in Baltimore, and the UPCEA Distance Teaching and Learning + Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable Conferences, held July 22-24 in Minneapolis. Hermann joined the events to share insights on enhancing student success, building institutional capacity, and fostering collaboration around accessibility. She also explored strategies to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) throughout the student journey.

“It is a privilege to share the strategies we use to provide equitable access to higher education for our students at University of Phoenix,” Hermann stated. “I am especially proud of our efforts to enhance digital access, particularly for students with disabilities, and to foster a sense of empowerment and belonging. Our dedication to innovation extends beyond the University to our community and collaborators, reflecting our deep commitment to accessibility across environments.”

At AHEAD, Hermann joined a panel discussion titled “Disabling Ableism: Increasing Disabled Student Success in Higher Education Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices,” which featured senior DEI administrators who have successfully integrated disability justice and inclusion into their campus DEI missions. The session provided practical tools and strategies to support communication with DEI administrators, ensuring disability is a central aspect of their work.

During the UPCEA event, Hermann led a workshop titled “Building Your Institution’s Accessibility Collaborative,” where she discussed accessibility as a crucial factor in the development and delivery of online programs. The workshop helped attendees assess where their institution is and find ways to move towards a more holistic and comprehensive approach to meeting learner needs.

These discussions and workshops are particularly significant as they coincide with the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark legislation that has profoundly influenced the landscape of accessibility and inclusion in education.

"On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it's fitting to recognize how Kelly's vision and leadership have advanced accessibility and inclusion at University of Phoenix,” shares Provost and Chief Academic Officer, John Woods, Ph.D. “Her work not only strengthens our institution but also sets a benchmark for innovation in higher education. Our commitment to supporting our students is reflected in Kelly’s dedication to ensuring our accessibility efforts evolve with the educational landscape."

Hermann’s accessibility leadership is broadly recognized in the education technology community, and she has co-authored a chapter on accessibility to the Routledge text, Leading the eLearning Transformation of Higher Education, as well as other organizational texts by Anthology, D2L, WCET, and OLC, and by leading educational publications including Inside Higher Ed, EdSurge, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, The evolllution and eCampus News. Hermann chairs the Accessibility Taskforce for 1EDTech and has been collaborating on a project developing an accessibility vetting rubric to help institutions improve access for students with disabilities, and to improve trust by evaluating the non-technical aspects of accessibility that can affect purchasing decisions and helping set up a common tool evaluation framework.

Earlier this year, Hermann was instrumental in developing and deploying a survey on workplace accessibility awareness, understanding, and development opportunities. University of Phoenix commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a study of 459 managers across the fields of information technology, healthcare and education to better understand workplace commitment to accessibility, accessibility understanding and skills of workers, and opportunities for development of accessibility skills. The survey was developed in collaboration with Teach Access, a national non-profit organization strategically partnering with students, educators, industry, government, and nonprofit advocacy organizations.

In her role at University of Phoenix, Hermann serves as the Vice President of Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion. She has oversight of the university’s accessibility initiative, including the evaluation and remediation of curricular resources, the Student Accommodations office, which provides accommodations to students with disabilities and the Office of Educational Equity (OEE), which works with University stakeholders, community partners and corporate sponsors to create an inclusive educational environment for the students, faculty, and staff. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café. Earlier this year, Hermann received global recognition as a 1EdTech Leader for her work in creating open, trusted, and innovative digital ecosystems that power learner potential.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu