Cyndi Rowland, Ph.D.

Dr. Rowland is the Associate Director at the CPD. She directs several grants that focus on the use of technology and the preparation of personnel. She is the Executive Director of WebAIM (Keeping Web Accessibility In Mind)which offers training, technical assistance, and services to make the Web a more accessible place for individuals who have disabilities. Dr. Rowland is extensively involved in the National Center for Disability and Access to Education where she is the Technology Director. She is the Principle Investigator of 2 federally funded projects. One explores issues of cognitive disability and Web design. This OSERS Steppingstones project is developing a suite of tools to add to the popular WAVE evaluator to assist in the evaluation of the cognitive load of a webpage. The other project is funded by FIPSE to develop self-study and other materials suitable for institutions of higher education and accreditation bodies to assist in the continuous improvement of their web accessibility efforts. Dr. Rowland chairs both the Website Committee and the International Committee at the Center for Persons with Disabilities. She is also the Director of KSAR, an award-winning media production facility (winner of 15 Telly Awards).

Although she demonstrates great technology interests, Dr. Rowland's professional background is as a speech and language pathologist and early childhood special educator. Prior to coming to the Center for Persons with Disabilities she worked in school districts and special centers for 8 years focusing on the communication skills of persons with severe disabilities as well as the development of infants and young children. In 1989 she shifted her career toward personnel preparation and development. Her research interests include the effectiveness of (a) naturalistic teaching strategies, (b) augmentative and alternative communication, (c) technology-mediated learning and mentoring; and (d) Internet accessibility for all.

Roles at the CPD

• Main Profile
• Associate Director for division Administration
• Principal Investigator for project Gaining Online Accessible Learning through Self-study
• Principal Investigator for project Improving the Outcomes of Students with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities: Phase I Development for a Web Accessibility Tool
• Technology Director for project National Center on Disability and Access to Education
• Executive Director for project WebAIM Services