Collaborate to Comply - Supporting Students with Disabilities

Audience Level: 
Intermediate
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Abstract: 

This session will highlight the importance of the shared responsibility between subject matter experts and instructional designers in curating accessible online content for all learners. Discover new instructional strategies and how to leverage inclusive design models to provide the best possible experience for all users, regardless of their special needs. 

Extended Abstract: 

A truly open educational experience is one that is accessible for all learners, regardless of ability. Subject matter experts, instructional designers, educational technologists and librarians, need the skills and knowledge to create or modify online course materials to benefit all learners. As such, supporting students with “disabilities” is a shared responsibility between all aforementioned stakeholders. In this session, we will explore inclusive design elements, in where course design, development, and technology are centered around the ability to meet the learner’s needs, regardless of disability.

In addition, examples of continuous improvement strategies to maintain an open and accessible online learning environment will be shared. Such examples include:

  • Proofreading and remediating scanned text submitted to optical character recognition

  • Captioning and audio describing multimedia

  • Providing image descriptions in ALT tags

  • Font size and color contrast

  • Tables

  • Formulas (Math and Scientific)

Objectives:

  • Examine and discuss the shared responsibilities between university stakeholders.

  • Compare and contrast the differences between inclusive design and universal design models.

  • Apply accessibility standards to online course design & content materials

Conference Track: 
Professional Development and Support
Session Type: 
Education Session
Intended Audience: 
Faculty
Instructional Support
Training Professionals