IT Accessibility Professional, ICT Accessibility Researcher, and Creator of the Web 2.0 Accessibility Forum on LinkedIn
Toronto, Canada Area
- Current
-
- IT Accessibility Consultant, Technology and Operations at RBC
- Board Member (Volunteer) at Ski for Light, Inc. (Non-Profit)
- Senior Advisor (Volunteer) at National Educational Association of Disabled Students
- Co-director at Adaptech Research Network
- Past
-
- Project Manager & Accessibility Subject Matter Expert, BMO Financial Group Institute for Learning at Bank of Montreal
- E-learning Developer, Mindspan Solutions at IBM Canada LTD.
- Education
-
- Concordia University
- Concordia University
- Dawson College
- Loyola High School
- Connections
-
308
connections
- Industry
- Information Technology and Services
- Websites
Jennison Asuncion’s Summary
A pragmatic IT Accessibility professional combining: seven plus years experience working in the financial services industry; over ten years researching the accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT) in Canadian higher education; with first-hand knowledge born from being an end-user who happens to be blind.
I began by bringing accessibility expertise to several strategic e-learning initiatives at the BMO Financial group Institute for Learning, the Bank’s corporate university. Today at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), I am a member of a team that consults on making systems and applications accessible to our employees and clients with disabilities.
In my night job, I co-direct the Adaptech Research Network, where we have been conducting applied, empirical research into the use and accessibility of ICTs by postsecondary students with visible and invisible disabilities in Canada. Our work has resulted in numerous presentations and publications.
My interest in accessibility can be traced back to the early 90s. First, through my participation and longstanding involvement with the CNIB SCORE Program, along with my years of mostly volunteer computer and adaptive technology training.
In December '08, I created a group on LinkedIn called Web 2.0 Accessibility Forum, to engage the community of Internet users with disabilities, with those involved and/or interested in making Web 2.0 and the next-generation of ICTs accessible to everyone. Much is evolving quickly in Web 2.0, social networking, Government 2.0,etc., and I have a concern that a new digital divide may be building for persons with disabilities in these areas if we continue to operate in silos. Join over six-hundred others in these important conversations at http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1605077
Information on how to invite me to join your network is under Contact Settings. Get to know me real-time by following me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Jennison
Jennison Asuncion’s Specialties:
IT accessibility consulting, JAWS usability/accessibility testing, e-learning accessibility, ICT accessibility research, adaptive technology training, and project management.
Jennison Asuncion’s Experience
-
IT Accessibility Consultant, Technology and Operations
RBC
(Public Company; RY; Banking industry)
2006 — Present (3 years )
-
Board Member (Volunteer)
Ski for Light, Inc. (Non-Profit)
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
2006 — Present (3 years )
Founded in 1975, Ski for Light, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that teaches visually- and mobility-impaired adults how to cross-country ski. It holds an annual, week-long event in the USA, where skiers with disabilities are paired with volunteer guides for a week of recreational skiing. Participants and guides attend from across the USA and around the world.
We are always looking for new guides interested in sharing their passion for cross-country skiing. -
Senior Advisor (Volunteer)
National Educational Association of Disabled Students
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
2002 — Present (7 years )
In my role as Senior Advisor, I bring thought and leadership born from industry experience, along with my background in disability student advocacy to the work of the organization. In particular, I lead NEADS' IT strategy and approach, provide project management and research expertise, mentor student leaders and staff, and identify new strategic relationships and opportunities for growth. Most recently, I have taken ownership of developing NEADS social media strategy.
Since 1986, the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) has been Canada's cross-disability, consumer driven organization promoting the accessibility to postsecondary education and employment for college and university students and graduates with disabilities. -
Co-director
Adaptech Research Network
(Research industry)
1999 — Present (10 years )
As a member of the Management Team, I lead project management, HR matters, and the dissemination of research findings (i.e., identifying appropriate journals and other venues for knowledge mobilization). This is in addition to participating in research design, data analysis, grant writing and the publication and presentation of results.
Since 1996, The Adaptech Research Network has been conducting grant-funded, applied research on the use and accessibility of information and communication technologies used in Canadian postsecondary education. We have recently expanded our research scope to include studying barriers and facilitators impacting the academic success for college and university students with disabilities. Finally, we maintain a library of free or inexpensive software that students can use as alternatives to the more expensive adaptive software available today.
I first joined the team as a Research Assistant in 1997. -
Project Manager & Accessibility Subject Matter Expert, BMO Financial Group Institute for Learning
Bank of Montreal
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BMO; Banking industry)
2001 — 2006 (5 years )
Outside of my project management role, I lent accessibility subject matter expertise in a number of areas. This included leading and participating in the creation of e-learning accessibility best practices; providing accessibility consulting to teams developing enterprise-wide e-learning programs such as compliance training and managerial leadership delivered using a variety of technologies; and organizing accessibility training for developers with leading industry experts.
-
E-learning Developer, Mindspan Solutions
IBM Canada LTD.
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; IBM; Information Technology and Services industry)
2000 — 2001 (1 year )
This was my first foray into corporate learning, where I developed e-learning solutions that included sales and customer service training. I also put my voice to work, recording an SAP training package in French.
Jennison Asuncion’s Education
-
Concordia University
M.A. , Educational Technology , 2001
Concordia University Council on Student Life Award for Outstanding Contribution
-
Concordia University
B.A. (with distinction) , Political Science , 1997
-
Dawson College
D.E.C. , 1993
Paul Gallagher Award
-
Loyola High School
D.E.S. , 1990
Additional Information
Jennison Asuncion’s Websites:
Jennison Asuncion’s Interests:
professional networking, accessibility of Web 2.0 and next-generation technologies, consumer electronic trends, jazz, live comedy, and cross-country skiing.
Jennison Asuncion’s Honors:
2005-Present Selection Committee Member, Winston Gordon Award for Technological Advancement in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment, Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
2009 Featured in the CNIB Annual Review 2008-2009
2009 Reviewer, International Journal of Usability Studies Special Issue: Universal Design and ICT
2009 Conference Proposal Review Committee Member, Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference
2008 Invited Reviewer, International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
2006 Closing Panel Moderator, Hard-Wiring Inclusion,A Conference about Building an Accessible ICT World, Winnipeg
2005 Invited Reviewer, ALT-J Special Issue: Disability, Technology and e-Learning
2002-2004 Appointed to Advisory Panel, Canadian Network for Inclusive Cultural Exchange, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto
1999 and 2000 Council of Canadians with Disabilities Award Recipient
Jennison Asuncion’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
