Central Access

About Us

Central Access is an alternative media service provider located within Central Washington University

Our Mission

Central Access supports independence for all individuals in life and education. We empower full and equal access to print materials by creating quality accessible formats for students and others around the country. For over 30 years we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that educational materials are available to all those who need it.

Our Values

The values that guide our practice and decisions are:

• Everyone deserves equal access to information and materials.
• Focus on the users and their experience first.
• Innovate and grow-there is always more to learn.
• Empower those we serve through education.
• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Build a positive team environment.

What Does Central Access Do?

We produce alternative media, such as edited word documents formatted for text-to-speech readers, Nemeth Braille, STEM material, Unified English Braille (UEB), tactile graphics, and more.

Our team provides quality products for students and staff at Central Washington University as well as many institutions and schools across the country. Team members are trained and specialize within a variety of alternative media formats.

Central Access also provides meaningful opportunities for student employees to learn about the production of accessible materials and grow professionally while serving the community. This includes presenting at accessibility conferences and sharing research and technology with others in the field.

Faculty Resources

Central Access helps students receive accessible materials in a manner that is compatible with a student's disability, but we can only do this with your help.

What do I need to do?

There are a number of things that professors can do to make classes accessible for students with disabilities:

Create an open and inclusive environment for all students.

• You will have students who can benefit from accommodations. Encourage students to come to you and/or contact disability services to find out which accommodations will work for them.
• You can double-check all of your class handouts, lectures and syllabi using the Central Access Reader Check tool, available for download.
• Anticipate student needs. Read about Universal Classroom Design.

Seek out accessible reading materials and handouts.

• Don't use textbooks that contain complicated or excessive images and diagrams. The "pretty" textbook is rarely the most efficient. Focusing on this will help students learn easier, and help us do our jobs.
• Get your class materials in early!
  • A student can't receive their books and class materials without us processing them first.
  • We can't process their books until we know what their books are.
  • We won't know this until you tell us.
  • So please, let the university know which books you plan to use early, and don't change them during the quarter!

Reexamine your class syllabus.

An accessible syllabus should be straightforward with contact information and office hours for the professor, clear due dates for assignments, and an understandable grading scale. It is also important to include a statement that shows your commitment to accessibility, and directs students who need accommodation to Disability Services (DS). The following is a sample statement:

Central Washington University is committed to creating a learning environment that meets the needs of its diverse student body. Students with disabilities should contact Disability Services to discuss a range of options to removing barriers, including accommodations. Disability Services is located in Hogue 126. Call (509) 963-2214 or email ds@cwu.edu for more information.

Understanding The Law

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Ensuring that all students have equal access to information is a shared responsibility. If you have questions regarding accommodations, please visit CWU's Disability Services for Faculty Resources or you can reach out to Disability Services directly at:

Hogue Hall 126
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7582

Phone: 509 963 2214
Fax: 509 963 2983
Email: ds@cwu.edu

Staff at Central Access

Vernée Hemphill
Administrator
vernee.hemphill@cwu.edu
509 963 1263

Adrienne Zimny
Program Coordinator and Customer Care
adrienne.zimny@cwu.edu
509 963 1371

Sabrina Stoutamyer
Program Assistant & Tactile Graphic Coordinator
sabrina.stoutamyer@cwu.edu
509 963 1374

Phillip Herta
Program Assistant & Braille Coordinator
phillip.herta@cwu.edu
509 963 1570