Administrative
Administrative successes for 2024 include:
- Implementing a reorganization plan by developing a comprehensive organizational chart in conference with both the College of Design and CIDI faculty & staff.
- Key additions from this include three new director-level roles and two new managerial roles.
- Initiating a Strategic Plan, which will be influenced and completed by the new Executive Director.
- The Director of Business Operations worked with OSP, EVPR, and GTRC to develop a new process for managing CIDI membership funds. This new process saves thousands of hours per year across the various departments involved in our activities.
Braille
The Braille team completed 150,000 new transcription pages and produced 25,000 new tactile graphics in 2024. An impressive 2,000,000 pages were embossed, and 16,000 volumes were bound. The department fulfilled 160 orders for its members, supporting 100 unique members. Additionally, the team completed 100 orders for the Georgia Department of Education and 168 orders for the National Library Services Braille and Talking Book Program. The Braille Department provided 2,500 hours of braille training to the Georgia Department of Correction's Emanuel Prison Braille Program, demonstrating their commitment to service and skill development.
Captioning and Described Media
In the past year, thirty-seven unique deaf or hard of hearing college students with full-semester class loads experienced accessible captioned classes. Because of the efforts of the Captioning and Described Media unit, these students received the necessary support to fully engage with their coursework.
Additionally, after six months of collaboration with Procurement Services, the Captioning & Described Media unit successfully welcomed twenty-five authorized human captioning contractors for the 2025 - 2030 period. The unit's meticulous approach ensures that CIDI's captioning services are of the highest quality and meet the diverse needs of our students.
Customer Service
The Customer Service team demonstrated outstanding dedication by logging a total of 419 customer support calls for CIDI and its service units. Additionally, the team managed 37 AccessText Network (now PubFile Nexus) support calls prior to the shutdown, provided support for 25 calls related to Tools for Life, and handled 86 calls concerning SAM. These accomplishments highlight the team's commitment to providing exceptional support to CIDI members.
E-Text
The E-Text team successfully fulfilled a total of 1,640 orders across file types such as PDFs, Word Documents, HTML files, EPUBs, DAISY files, and PowerPoints, making an impressive total of 560,895 pages accessible to those with print-related disabilities. The E-Text unit served 73 member institutions, and 229 students benefited from the accessible materials provided by the E-Text unit, ensuring they had equal access to educational resources.
ICT/UX
The ICT/UX team conducted a total of 17 web evaluations, reviewing digital assets such as websites, digital documents, and mobile apps for customers, including the Georgia Department of Education. Additionally, the team provided 12 comprehensive training sessions to customers, enhancing their understanding and implementation of inclusive design and user experience best practices. These efforts reflect the team's commitment to promoting accessibility and improving digital experiences for all users.
Through the AccessGA Project, funded through the State ADA Coordinator’s Office of Georgia, the ICT/UX unit assisted with the nationally recognized 2024 Virtual ADA Conference, with more than 1,700 people from across the country registered. CIDI assisted with this conference, both from a technical assistance standpoint, along with a co-presentation on the topic of AI and disabilities.
Marketing and Communications
Two new roles were added in late 2024: the Research Communications Program Manager and the Digital Marketing Specialist. Several early wins from 2024 include a new monthly newsletter, launching both the Access Granted and Buzzword Brief series, and one of the first CIDI placements in the Georgia Tech Daily Digest with the Assistive Technology Gift Guide.
Additionally, the Video Production Manager created 28 training videos for various customers, underlining the importance of the principles of universal design for learning.
Research
Among the key research products developed by the research faculty at CIDI are the Work ACCESS and the Continuum of Assistive Technology Mastery (CATM) online tools. The Work ACCESS tool is designed to support individuals with disabilities in finding and utilizing appropriate assistive technologies to enhance their employment opportunities and workplace accommodations. The CATM online tool helps those with disabilities understand where they are along the continuum of AT Mastery, which can help enhance their workplace opportunities.
SAM
The Student Accommodation Manager (SAM) was used by a total of 58 colleges, universities, and technical colleges, with 2 new customers added during the year. Collaborating with the Video Production Manager, the SAM Manager created a virtual tour of CIDI, allowing members who cannot travel to Atlanta to become familiar with our unique space. Doug Neal continued his service as a member of the State of Georgia's Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and joining the "Tech Ends Suicide" Task Force at Georgia Tech.
Tools for Life
Despite the sudden passing of Martha Rust, the previous Tools for Life director, the team persevered in its mission to provide access to assistive technology for those who need it. The team loaned a total of 418 devices and refurbished and distributed 6,972 devices. Additionally, TFL provided information and assistance support to 1,552 individuals, including 995 for assistive technology (AT) devices and services, and 557 for AT funding. TFL also conducted 603 device demonstrations, showcasing the capabilities and benefits of various assistive technologies.
Through extensive public awareness efforts, the team reached 85,150 individuals, including 56,954 through stakeholder outreach activities such as student group presentations, tabling sessions, TFL 101 presentations and tours, virtual presentations, and the TFL monthly newsletter. The program also engaged 26,578 individuals through internet information, 404 through listservs, 211 through other activities, and 1,003 through presentations, expos, and conferences.
PubFile Nexus
In 2024, CIDI terminated the previous contract for Access Text Network and pursued independent operations. After almost a year, Access Text Network was formed as PubFile Nexus beginning in early 2025, featuring Pearson as the main publisher.
Altogether as a Center
- CIDI conducted 33 tours with various disability, cultural, and educational groups such as the 2024 winners of the “96 Hour Opera,” from the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Jewish Family and Career Services, iAccess Life, and many more.
- CIDI faculty and staff gave 95 presentations, posters, and keynotes.
- Several CIDI staff and faculty were recognized for their outstanding contributions in 2024. Guy Toles, John Toles, Jennifer Ro, and Johan Rempel received the College of Design Culture Champion award for their dedication to fostering a culture of inclusion at the College of Design. Ben Satterfield was honored with a RESNA letter of appreciation. Karen Milchus won the 2024 Outstanding CoD Research Faculty Award, and Sal Kibler was recognized by the GSU Gerontology Institute with the 50 over 50 award.
- CIDI made significant strides in training, student interaction, and community engagement. The team taught 2 VIP courses, delivered 6 guest lectures across 3 different courses, created 2 guides for the Weiss Center, and held 4 CIDI Lunch and Learns and 8 webinars. The team also employed 24 student assistants and mentored 5 students.
What will 2025 bring?
