Drive to University �Strategic Overview
Digitally Accessible Design
Build Equity that Fosters Connections
Jessica Bridges, M. Ed, LDT
Instructional Designer
Limestone University
Presenter Introduction
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Jessica Bridges, M. Ed., LDT
Instructional Designer
Limestone University�
“When you design without accessibility in mind, you are designing a student out of an opportunity.”
Gareth Ford Williams, “Digital Accessibility”
Podcast on Spotify, Aired August 20, 2023
Session Introduction
As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure equitable access to each student. Each student is an individual with unique experiences and a need to connect with others in a variety of ways. As a student, it is easy to feel isolated in the digital world. Instructors are placing more material such as assignments, readings, resources, and videos online assuming the material is more accessible to students through the learning management systems. This requires students to engage with material in a different way. “Digital accessibility is crucial in schools because it’s how students with disabilities and impairments are provided with equal access to education technology (EdTech) and learning materials.” (“What is Digital Accessibility? (And Why It's Crucial at Schools)”) Digital accessibility is not isolated to educators, and students. Digital accessibility encompasses all environments including web design, training materials, gamified content, and many more.
In this session, we will focus on the academic realm with some connection to other environments. Not only is digital accessibility required under the law (Section 508 and ADA compliance), it is also the right thing to do.
“Section 508 requires federal agencies to ensure that ICT they develop, procure, maintain, or use allows employees with disabilities and individuals with disabilities who are members of the public to have access to and use of information and data.”
Section 508 Home Page
“The Department is proposing technical requirements to provide concrete standards to public entities on how to fulfill their obligations under title II to provide access to all of their services, programs, and activities that are provided via the web. The Department believes the requirements described in this rule are necessary to ensure the equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities as set forth in the ADA.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination.
It’s the RIGHT thing to do!
Colorblindness
Session Objectives
Foundational Digital Accessibility Best Practices
In this session, you will be able to understand digital accessibility and familiarize yourself with the areas issues can be found.
Identify Digital Accessibility Issues
In this session, you will be able to identify common digital accessibility issues in digital content
Tools to Improve Digital Accessibility
In this session, you will be able to apply digital accessibility tools to identify and correct digital accessibility issues.
Foundational Digital Accessibility Instruction
Imagine not being able to navigate the world. We live in an ever-changing digital world, but what if the digital content was inaccessible? How do we make digital content accessible in courses that we build?
Using 5 pillars of foundational digital accessibility, courses can significantly improve access for students with different abilities.
Text refers to “the main body of a book or other piece of writing, as distinct from other material such as notes, appendices, and illustration” by the Oxford Languages Dictionary.
�When formatting text, one controls how text appears by adjusting the size, color, font, alignment, spacing, letter case, and purpose to improve the way digital information is presented.�
1. Formatting Text
Font
Headings
Proofreading
Color
Media refers to “the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the internet) regarded collectively” by the Oxford Languages Dictionary.
�When formatting media, one controls the delivery and experience of communication via video or images ensuring equitable access by adding features such as closed captions and alternative text.
2. Formatting Media
Videos
Images
Visual Design refers to the way the content is conveyed through visual components.
3. Formatting Visual Design
Text Presentation
Visual Design
Tables
Presentations include platforms such as PowerPoint or Google Slides used to present information in a predetermined order to an audience.
4. Formatting Presentations
Accessibility Checkers
Checklists/Guides
Navigation refers to the path choices a user has to get from point A to point B. We want to make the path for a user intuitive, automatically knowing where to go, where to turn, and what to click on with little to no cognitive effort. This allows users to use their cognitive effort on the content.
5. Formatting Navigation
Intuitive Navigation
Course Operation
Links
Identify Accessibility Issues
In the last section, the focus was on a foundational understanding of digital accessibility. Empowered with the knowledge of properly formatting text, media, visual design, presentations, and navigation, let’s take a look at these digital accessibility issues that are present in digital content.
�Everyone comes in contact with different types of digital content in a variety of ways. When identifying digital accessibility issues, many of the categories can be seen in one material. Keep an eye out for all of the different ways the digital content could be inaccessible to a student.
�Look at a variety of digital content you may be creating, or have created, to gain experience in identifying the pitfalls your students may face.
Choose Your Product
Tools for Accessibility
In the last section, the focus was on identifying the foundational digital accessibility issues based on the knowledge of common formatting. In this last section, the focus will be on accumulating a list of resources for the different types of content and material. The list is not exhaustive. Many more tools exist and may work best for you and the needs of your students. Use this list as a start and continue to add to your toolbox as you encounter more materials and platforms.
The Tool Box
Google Accessibility Tools
PDF Document Tools
Microsoft Accessibility Tools
Canvas Accessibility Tools
Canvas Curation Tools
Web Accessibility Tools
Jessica Bridges, M. Ed., LDT
Instructional Designer
Limestone University�
Thank You!
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