Accessibility in Online Learning: Web Accessibility Process Manual

Preface

Background

Photo by Nick Wiesner

The "Web Content Accessibility" project, proposed by the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, was funded by BC campus in 2005. The main goals of this project were to improve usability for disabled learners. A number of modules from a variety of existing electronic courses in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia were analyzed. Through consultation and collaboration with users, advocacy groups and other university and government agencies, Special Education and Technology – British Columbia (SET-BC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), procedures were developed for encoding these different modules so that they were made as “user friendly” as possible for persons with disabilities. These procedures were tested by making adaptations and necessary changes inside WebCT (the University-wide supported CMS). The ultimate goal was to provide online learners with disabilities, who were academically qualified, with full, fair and equal access to all university services, and programs. The project did not entail any modification of the academic standards of the University or the elimination of the academic evaluation of students. All steps in this process were carefully monitored and recorded. The deliverables were a manual of procedures for operationalization, and five workshops/modules to facilitate online accessibility anywhere distance education is offered.

Accessibility in Online Learning: Web Content Accessibility Process Manual

This Process Manual provides a guide that helps web developers, instructional designers and instructors responsible for, and involved in, developing online course materials to enhance their content and to make it more accessible. The Manual also provides a guide that serves as a readily available professional development reference document. At the beginning of this Manual you will find a brief description of the situation at post-secondary institutions, especially UBC, regarding adjustments of their online materials to students with disabilities, as well as a framework for working on this project. A description of various disabilities will follow, where we will focus on specific student needs. Next, you will be able to learn about legal requirements and existing standards for creating web content. Practical steps and procedures will be described and explained in respect to different elements of online material design, together with several ways for testing and assessing accessibility. At the end of the Manual, you will find a list of additional resources for further exploration.

Accessibility Workshops

Online workshops on accessibility (delivered in the period August 21 to 25, 2006) offered an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing. We hope that the provided presentations (PowerPoint slides) or archived sessions will be a good starting point for improvement.

You may listen to the sessions or download the presentations by selecting the appropriate link below: