MELA Minutes 2024-2025

a. Dr. Wilhite (MCCB) added her last accessibility spotlight webinar for the Academy is the Accessibility Spotlight: Summer Suggestions and would anyone be willing to share what they would need for her to focus on for their accessibility journey. She thanked everyone for sharing the last accessibility spotlight Accessibility Spotlight: Images & Alt Text because it was one of the most interactive and well attended. She added that these have been a really successful series and she is glad that it was that beneficial. 1. Admin Committee 1. Tish Stewart (HCC) asked if the AOA approved the 2026-2027 calendar. It was determined the calendar had not been presented to the AOA for approval. Denise Gillespie stated she would forward the most recent calendar to get a final approval. Buffey Mathews (MGCCC) added the updated calendar and it was now available in the MeLA course. 2. Support: 1. Accessibility progression: a. Jason Zuehlke (MDCC) stated one of the first things he wants do is to evaluate the existing products and understand what is needed. To accomplish this he wants to create a rubric to evaluate the products which covers the WCAG standards that apply to the e-learning side of things and/or instructional side with Canvas. Then evaluate the courses with the tools the consortium presently has so the committee can identify the additional tools needed to cover the gaps and to be compliant by the April 2026. Finally, start the vendor research to cover gaps. 2. Request Ad-Hoc committee volunteers to create rubric for evaluating accessibility standards needing to be met (current and potential additional products) a. Jason Zuehlke (MDCC) asked for volunteers for an Ad Hoc committee to create the rubric. Volunteers can go beyond the support committee. In addition, he added if anyone would like to serve on this committee to send him a message. 1. Student Evaluations in Enrollment tool. 1. Kim Steinman (NWCC) asked if anyone was using the student evaluations in ET. Very few schools are using this because of lack of participation, but some schools are using the questions from the evaluations in their customized student evaluation of online courses. Tish Stewart (HCC) stated they add a customized evaluation in each of their courses and used some of the questions from the ET’s evaluation. Michelle Mitchell (PRCC) also stated their evaluations mirror the evaluation in ET. Angel Nickens (NWCC) asked if the consortium should update it. It was determined this would be done through the Quality committee and Michelle Pickering (MGCCC) said

B. MSVCC Committees

C. Old Business D. Action Items E. Open Forum