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Enabling Effective Learning Online for Screen Reader Users

Carin Headrick

Senior Accessibility Strategist

D2L

CSUN 2023

March 15, 2023

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Agenda

  • Framework + Accessibility
  • Layers and Best Practices
  • Examples and Ways to improve

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The Framework

** TPACK.ORG **

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Adding another layer

Community

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Technology

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Technology Best Practices

  • Vendor's knowledge about accessibility
  • Assistive Technology support
  • Web standards
  • Ongoing technical support

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Content

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Content Best Practices

  • Train instructors to make accessible course materials
  • Support them do it well
  • Content that needs extra attention

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Pedagogy

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Multiple ways of making the same point

  • No frame of reference for someone who never heard a car horn.

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  • Not the correct frame of reference for someone who never saw a print Z

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Pedagogy Best Practices

  • Don’t assume that one way of teaching works for everyone
  • Be creative
  • Universal Design for Learning

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Community

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Community Best Practices

  • Reach out to others
  • Mailing lists
  • Forums

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The layers are not defined

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Example 1:�My French-English Dictionary CD�

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“The content was fine, but technology was a barrier.

I wish a community could have directed me to a solution.”

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Example 2:�Purpose of Alt text

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Oh…so that’s what that’s for? I just thought the system was bugging me, so I would fill it with random characters.

“The technology was fine, but the content was a barrier.

I wish the content creators were given enough training.”

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Example 3:�Small groups

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“The teacher was creative.

And the pedagogy worked.”

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Example 4:�Alternative activities

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“Barriers in technology, content, pedagogy, community.

The granddaddy.”

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Conclusion

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Thank you

Carin.Headrick@d2l.com