CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
FOREIGN LANGUAGE COUNCIL

Executive Council | Members & Departments | Mission | Constitution
Resolution on Foreign Language Study in the CSU
Resolution for Parity Across the Campuses for Language Course Hours
Resolution on the Diversity of Language Offerings
Statement on Class Size | Job Announcements
Useful Resources | ADA Resources
Future Meetings
| Conferences of Interest

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
as of Fall 2012

President

Brian Castronovo

Northridge

Vice President

Bernice Bass de Martínez

Sacramento

Secretary-Treasurer

Suzanne Toczyski

Sonoma

Northern Representative

Parissa Tadrissi

Sonoma

Southern Representative

Sandra Pérez-Linggi

Fullerton

Past President

Edith Benkov

San Diego


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CSU FLC Members 2010
& Department Websites

CSU Bakersfield ~ Anthony Nuño (chair) & Joanne Schmidt, http://www.csub.edu/ModLang/

CSU Channel Islands ~ Terry Ballman (chair) & Antonio Jiménez Jiménez

CSU Chico ~ Patricia Black (chair) & Antonio Arreguin Bermudez, http://www.csuchico.edu/flng/

CSU Dominguez Hills ~ Ivonne Heinze-Balcazar (chair) & Miguel Dominguez, http://www.csudh.edu/cla/french.asp, http://www.csudh.edu/cla/jap.asp, and http://www.csudh.edu/cla/spanish.asp

CSU East Bay ~ Monique Manopoulos (chair) & Marcelo Paz, http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/modernlanguages/Home_Page.php

CSU Fresno ~ Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval (chair) & Rosemarie Kuhn, http://www.csufresno.edu/mcll

CSU Fullerton ~ Reyes Fidalgo (chair) & Sandra Pérez-Linggi, http://hss.fullerton.edu/mll/

Humboldt State University ~ Rosamel Benavides-Garb (chair) & Joseph Diémé, http://www.humboldt.edu/%7Ewlc/

CSU Long Beach ~ Masako Douglas & Markus Muller, http://www.csulb.edu/depts/rgrll/

CSU Los Angeles ~ Sachiko Matsunaga (chair) & Gretchen Angelo

Maritime Academy ~ Robert Manheimer, http://www.csum.edu/gms/

CSU Monterey Bay ~ Yoshiko Saito-Abbott (chair) and Donaldo Urioste, http://csumb.edu/academic/descriptions/wlc.html

CSU Northridge ~ Brian Castronovo (chair) & Elías Ramos, http://www.csun.edu/~fl51594/

Cal Poly Pomona ~ Isabel Bustamante-Lopez (chair) & Kent Dickson, http://www.class.csupomona.edu/efl/

CSU Sacramento ~ Bernice Bass de Martínez (chair) & María Mayberry, http://www.csus.edu/fl/

CSU San Bernardino ~ ___ (chair) & Elizabeth Martin, http://flan.csusb.edu/

San Diego State University ~ Anne Donadey (European Studies) & Alda Blanco (Spanish), http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/%7eeuro/es.html (European Studies), http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/linguist/index.html (Linguists) and http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/spanish/index.htm (Spanish). Also: LARC, http://larc.sdsu.edu/ (Director Mary Ann Lyman-Hager) + past president, Edith Benkov

San Francisco State University ~ Paola Cortes-Rocca (chair) & Chris Concolino, http://www.sfsu.edu/~foreign/

San Jose State ~ Damian Bacich (chair) & Jean-Luc Desalvo, http://www2.sjsu.edu/foreignlanguage/foreign_lang.html

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo ~ John Thompson (interim chair) & Kevin Fagan, http://cla.calpoly.edu/mll/

CSU San Marcos ~ Michael Hughes (chair) & Marion Geiger, http://www.csusm.edu/languages/

Sonoma State University ~ Christine Renaudin (chair) & Parissa Tadrissi, http://www.sonoma.edu/modlang (note: Suzanne Toczyski is FLC Secretary-Treasurer).

CSU Stanislaus ~ Jason Winfree (chair) & Manuel Murrieta Saldívar, http://www.csustan.edu/Admin_Services/Catalog/Degrees-n-Majors/Arts-Letters-n-Sciences/Departments/Modern-Languages/index.html


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MISSION OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE COUNCIL OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

  • To provide vision and leadership for the teaching of languages other than English and their literatures and cultures
  • To promote quality in the teaching of languages other than English and their literatures and cultures
  • To support the diversity of language programs across the CSU
  • To encourage research and scholarship in language, literature and culture
  • To share expertise among the CSU community
  • To promote collaborative endeavors within the CSU community and beyond
  • To promote internationalization of the curriculum

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CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be "The Foreign Language Council of the California State University."

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to encourage the advancement and effective teaching of Foreign Languages in the CSU and the State of California.

Article III: Nature of Organization

The Foreign Language Council is an independent professional organization of professors of foreign languages in the CSU. To insure participation in foreign languages matters in California and the nation, the Council is affiliated with the California Language Teachers Association (CLTA) and the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages (ADFL).

Article IV: Voting Membership

1. Voting membership on the Foreign Language Council shall be made up of no more than two (2) full-time faculty members from each campus, one of whom shall be a Department Chair or Coordinator of his/her designated replacement. The second representative shall be nominated and elected by faculty members who teach foreign languages. If a representative cannot attend a meeting, the campus may send an alternate.

2. Membership for elected representatives of the Council shall be for two (2) academic years.

3. On campuses where languages are taught in only one department all Council representatives shall be elected from that department.

4. On campuses where languages are taught in more than one department, the departments involved, through consultation, shall decide how the two campus representatives are to be distributed among the departments. Once this distribution has been determined, representatives shall then be elected.

Article V: Officers of the Foreign Language Council

1. The officers of the Foreign Language Council shall be:
President
Vice-President
Secretary/Treasurer
Representative-at-large (North)
Representative-at-large (South)

2. The officers shall be elected by the membership of the Council. The President and Vice-President shall be elected in odd-numbered years and the two Representatives-at-large in even-numbered years. The term of office shall be three (3) years for the Secretary/Treasurer and two (2) for all other officers. The term of office for each officer shall normally begin with the close of the spring meeting. In the event of special elections to fill vacated offices, the officer shall assume his/her duties immediately upon election. At least one of the Representatives-at-large shall be faculty member from a language other than French, German, and Spanish.

3. A Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected from the Council membership at the fall meeting and shall serve for two years. The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from the membership, and shall prepare a slate of nominees. Any Council member may be nominated by petition signed by five voting members of the Council and submitted to the Nominating Committee. Nominations shall close no later than six weeks before the spring meeting.

4. Election of officers shall be conducted by mail ballot. Ballots shall be distributed by the Secretary immediately upon the close of nominations, and shall be returned by mail and postmarked no later than ten (10) days prior to the spring meeting. Each Council representative shall receive one (1) ballot. If no nominations are received or fewer than one-half of the current membership voted by mail prior to the meeting, officers may be nominated and elected from the floor at the spring meeting.

5. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Council and Executive Committee, and direct the affairs of the organization.

6. The Vice-President shall carry out duties assigned to him/her by the President, and shall preside in the absence of the President.

7. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep accurate records of the membership and proceedings of the organization, and shall have custody of these records. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all Council funds, shall keep an accurate record of these funds, and shall prepare an annual financial report. The fiscal year shall be the academic year.

8. The Representatives-at large shall serve as a liaison between the Executive Committee and campuses, and shall facilitate the planning of the agenda for Council meetings.

9. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume that office through the current academic year. Any other vacancy among the officers shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee until the next regular election.

Article VI: Recall of Officers

1. If an officer does not carry out his/her duties, and by such neglect places the work of the Council in jeopardy, he/she shall be notified by the Executive Committee about the initiation of the recall process.

2. At least 25% of the voting membership shall be required to initiate the recall process. A signed written petition shall be sent to the Executive Committee.

3. Two-thirds (2/3) of the total membership of the Council shall be required to vote in favor of the removal of an officer to complete the recall.

Article VII: Operation of the Council

1. The Executive Committee of the Council shall be composed of the five elected officers, plus the (non-voting) immediate past president. The Executive Committee shall set the agenda for meetings, manage the budget and conduct the affairs of the organization.

2. The President in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall appoint such additional committees and their chairs as needed to conduct the affairs of the organization.

3. The Council shall hold two (2) meetings annually one in the fall and one in the spring.

4. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Committee, or by written petition from the majority of the membership to the Executive Committee.

5. A quorum shall exist when a majority of the campuses are represented at a meeting.

Article VIII Fiscal Affairs

1. Changes in the amount of the annual dues shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and voted on by the Council at the fall or spring meeting. The annual dues for the Council shall be by campus. Dues shall be collected by the Secretary/Treasurer.

2. A registration fee for each meeting may be required of each Council member attending the meeting.

Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution

1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed at any meeting or by written petition to the Executive Committee by at least 25% of the membership.

2. An amendment to the Constitution shall be adopted when two thirds (2/3) of the membership of the Council vote in favor of it.

3. Voting will be by mail, the schedule and procedures of which shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Article X: Representation from the Chancellor's Office and the Academic Senate of the CSU

The Foreign Language Council may invite to Council meetings, the Chancellor of the CSU and the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the CSU, or their designated representatives, to serve as ex-officio, non-voting members.

This Constitution was ratified by the voting membership of the Foreign Language Council at its April 24, 1987 meeting in Los Angeles, California

It was amended on October 23, 1998.

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RESOLUTION ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

October 3, 2008

WHEREAS all freshmen must have completed at least two years of high school foreign language study or its equivalent to enter the CSU; and

WHEREAS transfer students may not have met the minimum freshman requirements and are therefore disadvantaged; and

WHEREAS two years of high school foreign language study is generally considered to be the equivalent of one year of college work; and

WHEREAS the notion of "value added" by the Bachelors degree assumes that students build on previously acquired skills; and

WHEREAS the Access to Excellence statement of the CSU includes as an indicator of excellence  "an increase from entry to graduation in the extent to which CSU students gain and improve global understanding and foreign language skills so they  can compete in the global economy and participate  in a global society;”

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the Foreign Language Council urge the Chancellor's Office to require that all students earning a Bachelors degree from the CSU have coursework in a foreign language that exceeds the freshman entrance requirement so that they may truly have a "value added" experience;

And be it further resolved that this resolution be distributed to the Provosts in all twenty-three universities in the CSU system.

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RESOLUTION FOR PARITY ACROSS THE CAMPUSES FOR LANGUAGE COURSE HOURS

October 3, 2008

WHEREAS we, The California State University Foreign Language Council, believe that contact hours correlate with language acquisition and the amount of material one can cover in a semester, and

WHEREAS articulation agreements between California Community Colleges and the CSU system (Lower Division Transfer Pattern (LDTP)) require that transfer language classes meet minimum requirements of 4 semester units per course, and

WHEREAS the CSU Academic Senate has passed a resolution to assist with articulation between CSU campuses that utilizes LDTP course descriptors for CSU to CSU transfers and these protocols call for second-year Spanish courses to be a minimum of 4 units each, (www.calstate.edu/AcadAff/ldtp/docs/SPAN_130_Intermediate_Spanish_I.pdf)

WHEREAS we believe intra-CSU transfer students should not have to repeat a lower division language course taken at another CSU before advancing to upper division courses at a different campus, and

WHEREAS we believe that study abroad in universities and colleges is an extremely valuable experience for our students and generally assumes a certain number of units of coursework in the target language, and

WHEREAS most commercially published textbooks assume 4 or 5 hours a week of contact time for a full year to complete a course,

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED that The California State University Foreign Language Council recommend that first-year language courses meet a minimum of four hours per week. This recommendation will not necessarily apply to heritage speaker classes and conversation classes.

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RESOLUTION ON THE DIVERSITY
OF LANGUAGE OFFERINGS

April 16, 2004

WHEREAS, the California State University is dedicated to the serving the needs of the community and its diverse populations, and

WHEREAS, the population of California, with its ties to communities and countries throughout the world, is in a key position to foster cultural understanding and political and economic connections, and

WHEREAS, linguistic diversity is a key element in understanding the many cultures in California and the world, and

WHEREAS, the diversity of language offerings is threatened in many of our schools and universities, and an October 2003 report by the National Association of State Boards of Education warns that foreign language programs risk becoming a "lost curriculum," and

WHEREAS, the current situation in the world exemplifies the danger that arises when cultures are unable to communicate with and understand each other, and

WHEREAS, it is not always easy to predict which languages will be economically or geopolitically important to our nation in the future, and

WHEREAS, developing proficiency in the language and culture of a country requires many years of study,

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED that The California State University Foreign Language Council declare the diversity of language offerings in university departments to be a crucial aspect of the mission of the California State University, and be it further

RESOLVED that the Council enjoin its member departments to maintain diversity of language offerings with financial and programmatic support, and be it further

RESOLVED that the Council vehemently oppose any attempt to eliminate programs on the basis of temporary budgetary problems, misconceptions about the nature of linguistic and cultural study in our departments, or unwillingness to support the necessary diversity of our programs, and be it further

RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Charles Reed, Chancellor of the California State University, as well as the Academic Vice Presidents and Deans of the appropriate colleges at all twenty-three California State University campuses.

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CSU-FLC STATEMENT ON CLASS SIZE

April 16, 2004

The current budget crisis in the state of California has been used on some campuses as a justification for raising course enrollment limits in various disciplines. The CSU Foreign Language Council, mindful of the Supplemental Budget Language that directs campuses to spare instruction wherever possible, strongly opposes any outside pressure on departments to raise enrollments.

Modern language pedagogy stresses the communicative approach, wherein students spend the vast majority of classtime conversing on topics relevant to their interests and skill levels. The linguistic elements and cultural input that form the basis of this communication are thus practiced and internalized under the supervision and with the guidance and corrections of the instructor.

Students in communicative language classes often work in pairs or groups, which makes the instructor's interaction with individual students even more crucial. The instructor's responsibilities in this mode of instruction include correct modeling of the linguistic elements being practiced as well as individual and group correction. Furthermore, instructors must work with students to develop critical thinking skills necessary to interpret cultural values and institutions. An excessive number of students in the class seriously diminishes each student's learning experience.

The longstanding benchmark enrollments for our courses reflect sound pedagogical practices that produce the desired learning outcomes. These benchmarks cannot be set aside without proper consultation, and must be modified only with the input of the faculty who best know their own discipline and the pedagogical expectations to which they are held.

Although we acknowledge the difficult budgetary situation, the need for cost-cutting cannot be allowed to undermine the quality of instruction. Increasing course enrollments in language courses is not merely an additional burden for the teacher; far more importantly, it prevents the students from experiencing sufficient meaningful practice in the language and results in a dangerous shift in the nature of the learning experience.

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CSU LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON seeking candidates in SPANISH LITERATURE (PENINSULAR) for a TENURE-TRACK POSITION. The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at California State University, Fullerton, seeks an energetic faculty member able to balance excellent teaching, scholarship and professional service. Position Description Duties include: teaching all levels of Spanish, but primarily upper-division and graduate-level courses in Spanish Peninsular literature and culture; student advisement; and contribution to department and university governance. Qualifications Required Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish and a Ph.D. in Spanish, with a specialization in Peninsular Literature, preferably in Golden Age. Ph.D. by August 2013 is required. If ABD, please have your dissertation chair provide a letter indicating your progress to date and detailing a timeline to completion. Degree must be completed by date of appointment. Strong commitment to excellence in student-centered teaching and research. A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience at the college or university level and demonstrated potential for research. Strong communication skills in English. Evidence of ability to work effectively with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and faculty. Desirable Additional background in other areas such as translation, cultural studies, or other related fields is highly desirable. Rank and Salary The position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, tenure-track. Salary is highly competitive and commensurate with rank, experience, and qualifications. Additional teaching opportunities during summer and winter intersession(s) are available. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is available which includes: health/vision/dental plans, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent fee waiver, access to campus child-care as well as affordable housing programs, and a generous defined benefit retirement through the state system along with optional tax-sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits go to http://hr.fullerton.edu/Benefits/Faculty_Unit_3.pdf Job Control Number 23603G-13-009 Appointment Date August 2013 Application Procedures Send a letter of application describing teaching philosophy and experience as well as research interests and accomplishments, curriculum vitae, writing sample, a copy of undergraduate and graduate studies transcripts, evidence of teaching excellence, and three recent letters of recommendation to: Spanish Peninsular Literature Search Committee c/o Reyes Fidalgo, Chair Department of Modern Languages & Literatures (H 835-A) California State University, Fullerton P.O. Box 6846 Fullerton, CA 92834-6846 FAX: (657) 278-5944 Application Deadline To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by November 1, 2012. The search committee will begin reviewing applications and continue its review until the position is filled. Cal State Fullerton is an Equal Opportunity/ Title IX/503/504/VEVRA/ADA Employer Achieving A Climate of Success Through Diversity & Equity

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-FRESNO. College of Arts and Humanities Modern and Classical Languages Vacancy # 11902 http://jobs.fresnostate.edu/http://artshum.csufresno.edu/French Assistant Professor - Academic Year California State University, Fresno is a learning-centered University. We believe learning thrives when a strong and active commitment to diversity is shared by all. This is because learning can only take place in a climate where differing points of view are welcome, and diversity of all kinds is valued by everyone. Fresno State has been recognized by the Federal government as an Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). Fresno State has been recognized in the Community Engagement classification by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process. Available for Academic Year: 2013/2014. Salary placement depends upon academic preparation and professional experience. Instructional Level: Undergraduate and Graduate This position is part of a University-wide Cohort that collaborates on research related to World Cultures and Global issues. Position Characteristics:The successful candidate will be expected to teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in the French language, as well as French and Francophone literatures and cultures. The candidate will also be expected to develop and enhance appropriate curricular offerings; supervise and assist student research; and maintain a productive research agenda, including publications, presentations, and other professional activities. Other faculty responsibilities include: serving on department, college, and university committees; engaging in community service and outreach; and interacting with faculty and students in related fields. The candidate may also be called upon to supervise French language classes and instructors. This position is part of a University-wide cohort hiring initiative in the area of World Cultures and Globalization, and as such there are unique opportunities for the successful candidate to pursue integrative research efforts, collaborative projects, and shared program/course developments within this cohort. The successful candidate may be called upon to teach in a distance education mode and will be encouraged to develop web-enhanced or web-based instruction. Outcomes assessment and service learning are important components of the university curriculum. The successful candidate will be expected to work cooperatively with faculty and staff in the program, department, and college. Given that California State University, Fresno is a Hispanic serving institution, preference will be given to those candidates who can teach French to native Spanish speakers. Academic Preparation:An earned doctorate in French or the equivalent is required for appointment to a tenure-track position. Teaching Or Other Experience:Candidates must be able to demonstrate excellence in teaching and research; a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching; and a willingness to actively participate in the life and development of the French program. Native or near-native fluency in French is required. The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment and/or ability to work with diverse faculty, staff, and students. The University is committed to promoting the success of all, and to reducing the barriers to success related to differences in areas such as race, ethnicity, culture, disability, and more. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths and experiences in this area. For additional information on the University's commitment to diversity visit: www.fresnostate.edu/academics/diversity . Other Requirements:This position may require the satisfactory completion of a background check. This may include, submitting fingerprints to the LiveScan Print Services, and evidence of degree(s) and/or certification(s) at or prior to the appointment. California State University, Fresno publishes an Annual Safety and Security/Fire Safety Report in October. This report is provided in compliance with the 1998 Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act, and California Education Code section 67380. The report includes three calendar years of select campus crime statistics and it includes security policies and procedures for the campus. Applicants, students, and employees can obtain a copy of this report from the web site: www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml or by contacting the Campus Police Department. Equal Employment Opportunity:California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Application Instructions:Complete an online application and attach (1) cover letter (outlining your interests in teaching and research); (2) Curriculum Vitae (listing five references; not among letters of recommendations); (3) sample course syllabi; (4) representative copies of course evaluations. The application is available at http://jobs.csufresno.edu. In addition to the online application, send three letters of recommendation (dated within the last twelve months; not among references in C.V.), official graduate transcripts, and any relevant materials that cannot be uploaded to the following address (please note that materials will not be returned): Dr. Ted L. L. Bergman, Search Committee Chair, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, California State University, 5245 N. Backer Ave, Fresno, CA 93740-8030. Open Until Filled:To ensure the full consideration, applicants should submit all application materials by 11/15/2012. Searches automatically close on 4/1/2013 if not filled. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires the University to inform you that we can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and authorization to accept employment.

 

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USEFUL RESOURCES

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USEFUL RESOURCES REGARDING ADA COMPLICANCE

ADA 508 Compliance ~ GENERAL INFORMATION
Compiled by:  Patricia Miller, Director-
Barbara Ann Ward Language Center, CSU-Northridge
Spring 2007, from a variety of sources

Understanding access limitations

20% of the American population has a disability (the elderly included), that is approximately 55 million individuals. http://www.webaim.org/info/resources/

Popular Resource

  • Video: Keeping Web Accessibility in Mind
  • Video: Experiences of Students with Disabilities

Legislation

ADA Section 508 - Basic timeline and overview

  • Added by Congress to Title V of the Rehabilitation Act in 1986
  • Local, State & Federal Agencies that procure, maintain and/or use Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) must provide equal access for all persons with disabilities
  • 1996 Department of Justice ruling makes it clear that ADA accessibility requirements apply to Internet resources.  (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/foia/cltr204.txt)
  • Accessibility is a universal issue that involves all disciplines
  • Academic freedom VS statutory requirement

The major categories of disability types are:

  • Visual ~ Blindness, low vision, color-blindness
  •  Hearing ~ Deafness
  •  Motor ~ Inability to use a mouse, slow response time, limited fine motor control
  •  Cognitive ~ Learning disabilities, distractibility, and inability to remember or focus on large amounts of information

Common WWW Access Hazards

  • Cannot see graphics because of visual impairments
  • Cannot hear audio because of hearing impairments
  • Slow Internet connections and modems will not allow for easy download of large files
  • Poorly constructed/organized sites with unclear directions make navigation precarious for ESL individuals and for those with learning disabilities.

Access Mindful Hardware and Software

  • Information delivery is dependant on appropriate Assistive Technology: ¨Screen Readers & Magnification Devices:
  • SIMULATION: http://www.webaim.org/simulations/screenreader
  • ¨Close captioning & Video Description = Software that allow to create captioning and decoding for the hearing impaired http://www.CCmaker.com
  • ¨Adaptive keyboards or keyboards overlay= ¨Alternative Augmentative Communications devices with programmed menus that allow non-verbal individuals to ‘speak’ aloud by pressing buttons.

General Types of Assistive Technology (Computer Input and Output Devices) that may be used by an individual accessing the web

1.            Text to Speech (Output)  Microsoft
2.            Screen Readers Software (Output) IBM homepage
3.            Screen Enlargers (Output)
4.            Speech Synthesizers (Output)
5.            Voice Activated Control - Speech to Text (Input)
6.            Physical Input Devices: trackballs, mouth sticks, head wands, pencil grips and keyboards (Input)

Accessibility verification tools and support

  • WebAim– AIS Toolbar = Free software for checking web site accessibility: document structure, colors, HTML, CSS, links, images. You can obtain the Download from the Site of Web Accessibility Tools http://www.webaim.org/resources/ais/
  • HiSoftware – AccVerify/Repair = AccVerify is a software product from HiSoftware (www.hisoftware.com) which is used to validate web pages for compliance with web accessibility guidelines such as Section 508c, or the W3C. AccVerify will review your web pages and generate reports which indicate where you have accessibility problems.  It also uses an Interviewer to assist you in making many of the visual checks required of your web pages.  A history can be kept of your accessibility reports so you can compare your current web page’s errors to those in the past. http://www.uwlax.edu/itssupport/accverify NOTE: A basic guide to using AccVerify/Repair software can be found at: http://www.uwlax.edu/itsupport
  • Color Contract/Color blindness check (Web Accessibility Tools Consortium): http://juicystudio.com/services/colourcontrast.php The Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA) is useful to help determine, in particular, the legibility of text on a web page and the legibility of image based representations of text. Assessing conformance with Checkpoint 2.2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and checkpoint1.0 of the WCAG requires that"foreground and background color combinations provide sufficient contrast when viewed by someone having color deficits, or when viewed on a black and white screen." Use the CCA to test color combinations against the W3C's suggested algorithms for determining "sufficient contrast"

[Added subsequent to the information above, courtesy of CLTA:]

"A World Awaits You: A Journal of Success in International Exchange for People with Disabilities" features Accessing Foreign Languages as its November 2007 Issue  November 6, 2007- While U.S. high school students with disabilities increasingly enroll in foreign language courses, they still lag behind their non-disabled peers. In the seventh online issue of A World Awaits You (AWAY), published by Mobility International USA and the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, foreign language educators, English language instructors, disability providers and students with disabilities share their strategies of success in the foreign language classroom. This web-based, cross-disability journal describes successful experiences, lessons learned, and frequently asked questions such as:  What teaching strategies or classroom accommodations benefit students with learning, cognitive, hearing or vision disabilities? How can I use adaptive technology in learning a foreign language at home and abroad? What do I need to know about sign interpreting in a foreign language class? Why is it beneficial to learn a foreign language overseas and how do I manage once there? Are there opportunities for me to teach my native language overseas?  

To read this AWAY issue, go to: http://www.miusa.org/ncde/away  For more information on how people with disabilities can participate in all types of international exchange programs, contact:  National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange Tel/TTY: (541) 343-1284 Fax:  (541) 343-6812 Email: clearinghouse@miusa.org Web: <http://www.miusa.org/ncde>   The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered by Mobility International USA.

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FUTURE MEETING DATES

CSU-FLC Fall Meeting dates are determined on a year-by-year basis.
Fall 2012: Sonoma State University
Fall 2013: Cal State Fresno

Note: Spring Meetings generally coincide with the CLTA's annual conference,
the schedule for which is as follows:

February 28-March 3, 2013: Orange County

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CONFERENCES OF INTEREST
 
Registration site for State-wide Conference on ARABIC AND PERSIAN ISSUES IN CALIFORNIA EDUCATION.  The site for online registration for the State-wide Conference on Arabic and Persian Issues in California Education:  http://sisyphus.sdsu.edu/contacts/new/register.php?id=20  The following is the conference information on larcnet:  http://larcnet.sdsu.edu/conferences.php#aissues.

Page last updated October 14, 2012
Contact: suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu

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