SF State University
Accessibility and Course Design: Considerations for
Instructors and Course Designers Using Learning
Management Systems
Nicole Bohn, DPRC
Nora Scully, DPRC
Noelia Mendoza, AT
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Outline
Before the First Click
Simple Course Design Strategies
Course Management
Cross Campus Collaboration
Resources
Q&A
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Before the First Click
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ADA is Civil Rights Legislation
• The original intent of the ADA:
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to protect the civil rights of people’s with
disabilities and ensure equal access and
opportunity.
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Institutional Barriers for Students
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Proof of disability
Eligibility verifications
Accommodation referral
Self identify as disabled to professor
Expectation on students to “state their case”
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Reasons why student may not
seek out accommodations
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Red tape perception
Fear and Identity issues
Desires to avoid negative social reactions
Insufficient knowledge of what’s available
Negative experiences with faculty
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Adaptive Technology Use
• Proficiency using Jaws, Zoom Text…
• Cognitive map of internet structure, common
software and browser functionality
• Familiarity with LMS structure and
functionality
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After the first click
The next obstacle course…
Course Design and Layout
LMS and Course Management
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LMS Constraints
Working accessibility within the parameters of
the Learning Management System.
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Course Design And Layout
• Seek access for everyone
• Design for diverse learning styles
• Identify and map your learning objectives to
activities and assessments
• Allow for varied expression of outcomes
• Simple consistent layouts
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Naming and Labeling
• Hierarchical ordering
• Descriptive labels, using consistent file naming
conventions
• Use Moodle styles (e.g., heading 1) for course
titles, topic titles and subtitles.
• High contrast, adjustable fonts and colors
• Labels should match reference to them in the
syllabus
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Naming and Labeling II
• Inform of new window or pop-up
• Avoid abbreviations
• file name should include the file type or three
letter extension
Example: Biology333syllabus.rtf
• Avoid redundancies
Example: Use the name "Journal
Week 1" instead "Weekly Journal"
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Standard Accessibility Stuff
• Functional alternate text for images
• Information conveyed with color is also
conveyed without the use of color.
• Use table summaries and header rows
• Remove/hide unused blocks or features
• Links to plugins, specialized software
applications (e.g., downloadable file readers)
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Course Management
• Student Course Overview
• Course Administration
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Student Course Overview
Start of the semester e-mail with syllabus
Tour of LMS course (LMS course overview)
Profile setting (Screen Reader)
Support/Help
Quick Guides/How–to Resources
o iLearn Central (moodle system updates)
o iLearn (Moodle) Support Block
o Add support account
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• Communication protocols
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Course Administration
• Quiz Strategies
• Communication Strategies
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Quiz Strategies
• Two concurrent quizzes
1 regularly timed quiz
o 1 alternate quiz with password protection
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• Single quiz for all students
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Student with accommodation takes password
protected quiz before or after the general class
• Accommodation proctor, reader, or writer
• Adjust Gradebook
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Direct Communication Strategies
• Quickmail (Email Block)
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Single student, multiple or groups of students
• News Forum
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Post course announcements
Newest announcement always at top
Posting is always visible for student reference
A copy is emailed to students (Single or Digest)
A copy posted in Latest News Block
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Indirect Communication: Blocks
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Latest News
• feeds from News Forum
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Upcoming events
• Due date feeds: quizzes, assignments, and calendar
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Calendar
• Due date feeds: quizzes, assignments, and events
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Activities Block
• Index of activities by type, lists due/close dates, grades
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Communication
CHAT: How do you communicate with students
in your course most often?
Post your answer via chat.
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Cross Campus Collaboration
• Suite of accessible tools
• Development of Policy
• Development of triad project management
model
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Suite Of Accessible Tools
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iLearn, Diva, e-Portfolio
Web conferencing
Course Stream
Quick Guides
Access site
Syllabus tool
VPAT Database
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Syllabus Tool
Online template
Compelling, easy-to-use and accessible
Record of course learning outcomes
Departmental learning outcomes
College and institutional goals and outcomes
Record of student achievement
Transfer of institutional knowledge
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Online Educational Policy
Educational effectiveness
Recognition and Compensation
Accessibility
Technical and pedagogical support
Intellectual property and academic integrity
Security
Communication and Scheduling
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Summary
• Awareness of institutional barriers
• Working with design and course management
best practices within parameters of LMS
• Work collaboratively to develop tools, process
and policy to support universal access
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Accessible Tools
What are the accessible tools you use at your
campus that you would like us to share with us?
Place names and URLs in the chat window
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