TROY University
Rebecca Ingram, Ph.D.
College of Education
Course Accessibility Issues:
Universal Design
Legal Mandate
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act (federal programs)
Universal Design
• What is Universal Design?
• What are the origins of Universal
Design?
• What are some examples of
Universal Design?
Universal Design for
Learning (UDL)
• What is UDL?
• Why do we need UDL?
Key Ideas
• Recognition Networks
• Strategic Networks
• Affective Networks
Guidelines
• Multiple Means of Representation
• Multiple Means of Expression
• Multiple Means of Engagement
Access Issues
• Actual Experience
• Examples
Designing your eCourse to Embrace
Accessibility
• Correct usage of fonts and color in your text:
•
Use sans-serif fonts rather than serif fonts, as
they are easier to read on the computer.
• Use black text on a white background. Make sure there is
high-contrast between the background color and the font color.
Make sure the text is easy to read by avoiding bright colors
in your background color.
• Use only one font… Use only one font!!!
Be mindful of too many CAPS, italics or bold text.
•
Do Not Use underlining for emphasis, as this could be
mistaken for a link.
Designing your eCourse to Embrace Accessibility
Correct hyperlink language for screen readers
• In your links, Do Not Use hyperlinks that read Click Here.
Graphics
• All graphics should have alternative text (alt tags) for
reader ease.
• Label your alt tags to describe and match the graphic
Limitations on animations
• Do Not Use animated or blinking images or text or
graphics, as they can cause seizures for some folks.
Video captioning and scripts
• Provide close-captioning and/or audio description or
transcripts for all video.
screen
image.
Designing your eCourse to Embrace Accessibility
Free Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools
http://www.w3.org/WAI/RC/tools/complete (100+
sites)
http://wave.webaim.org/
http://www.cynthiasays.com/
http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/
Vischeck is a way of showing you what things look like to someone
who is color blind.
Design Considerations
• Start Early
• Use Blackboard Tools
• Use Online Programs
How Do I Get Started?
• Be proactive
• Provide information in Promotional
Publications
• Ensure media can be accessed
• Enforce Standards
• Establish Procedures
• Provide Information to Instructors, Design
Staff
• Review Periodically
References/Resources
•
Accessibility of online courses & section 508. (2009). Online@UCF. Retrieved from
http://teach.ucf.edu/pedagogy /accessibility/.
•
Center for universal design. NC State University. Retrieved from
http://design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm.
•
DO-IT: Disabilities, opportunities, internetworking and technology. (2012). University of
Washington.
•
Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/doit/.
•
Extend the amount of time a student has to take an assessment. (2011). Online@UCF.
Retrieved from
http://onlinesupport.cdl.ucf.edu/documentation/extend-the-amount-of-time-a-student-has-to-takean-assessment/.
•
Kolowich, S. (2011). Elaborating on online accessibility. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/05/27/education_department_elaborates_on_guideline
s_against_discriminating_against_disabled_students_with_technology#ixzz1r0cxH6Ap.
•
Preliminary review of web sites for accessibility. (2005). W3C Web Accessibility initiative.
Retrieved from
http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/preliminary.html.
•
Transforming education through universal design for learning. CAST. Retrieved from
http://www.cast.org/.
•
Web accessibility evaluation tool. (2012). WAVE. Retrieved from http://wave.webaim.org/.
•
Where can I find online resources for learning about accessible information technology?
(2010).
•
AccessIT. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?1191.
Resources (Continued)
•
http://www.w3.org/WAI/Resources/
Web Accessibility Initiative
•
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm
Sec 508 Web-based Intranet and Internet Info and Applications
•
http://www.cynthiasays.com/
Free Accessibility Check
•
https://go.dmacc.edu/ONLINE/Pages/adacompliance.aspx
Suggested Guidelines for Online Courses
•
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/web_admin.html
Guidelines for Administrators
•
http://www.lighthouse.org/accessibility/design/accessible-print-design/effectivecolor-contrast
Designing for People with Sight and Color Deficiencies
•
http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Resources/Accessibility.aspx
Blackboard’s Commitment to Accessibility
Dr. Rebecca Ingram
rvingram@troy.edu
Gayle Nelson
gnelson@troy.edu
www.troy.edu