blackboard learn accessibility
DESCRIPTION
A discussion of BlackBoard Learn accessibility features and how you can ensure that your BlackBoard courses are more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.TRANSCRIPT
+
Accessibility in BlackBoard LearnAnastasia Trekles, Ph.D.
+What is Accessibility?
Refers to the concept and practice of making electronic documents (websites, PDFs, etc) usable by all, including persons with disabilities
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not hard to keep accessibility in mind while developing your online materials
+The Importance of Accessibility
Not everyone uses computers and the Internet in the same way, but everyone CAN use these tools successfully
Assistive technology can help people with visual, mobility, and other sensory, cognitive, or physical disabilities use technology effectively
Strategies that we employ in our online development can also make a user’s experience that much better
Consider that there are many disabilities we cannot even see!
+The 10-second Accessibility Test Terrill Thompson’s 10 Second Web Accessibility Test
1. Use the Outline button on the WAVE toolbar to see if the web page has logical heading structure.
2. Again using the WAVE toolbar, check for Errors, Features, and Alerts.
3. Try tabbing through the page.
4. If the page includes video content, try playing a video to see if it's captioned.
W3C-WAI Demo site
Accessible University 2.0
+Accessibility Features of BlackBoard Very compatible with most
screen readers like JAWS (see https://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Resources/Accessibility/Accessibility-Resources.aspx)
But there are additional things you can do to make your course more accessible also
+Name your Pictures
When uploading and inserting a picture, be sure that is has a Description and Title
This should be a simple title of no more that one or two sentences, or a summary phrase
Complex images like graphs should be described in more detail as a download or Item with text
+Use PDFs with “real” text
Some PDFs that are scanned from another source are actually images and cannot be read in a screen reader
Make sure your PDF files are actual text and tagged as well as possible
Use Styles (Headings, Paragraph, etc.) in Word if converting Word to PDF
See http://webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/
See http://webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/converting for converting from Word
+Use Captioned Videos or Transcripts
Captions can do wonders for many students in understanding a video, not just the deaf
Automatic YouTube captions are not ideal – use your own or a transcript wherever possible
Lecture notes and transcripts should be able to take the place of the video if you use them
Making your own videos? Seehttp://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-camtasia-8.html
Useful tips on caption and transcript development: http://webaim.org/techniques/captions/
+Contact Publishers
When you use publisher-created content, there may or may not be a guarantee of accessibility
When in doubt, consult with the publisher directly about any concerns or student issues
Also don’t hesitate to contact the Disability Services Coordinator - http://www.pnc.edu/sa/disability-services/
+Be Flexible
Be willing to be flexible when students have accessibility issues
Be willing to provide alternative content, more time on tests, or even alternative assignments when necessary
Again, contacting the OLT or Disability Services will help!
+Making Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Testing and giving extra time Currently must make a copy of the exam and set Adaptive
Release Next fall there will be a special exemptions option so no
more test copies!
Learn more: http://www.pnc.edu/distance/testing-with-students-with-disa
bilities/
http://www.pnc.edu/distance/learn-tutorials/
+LockDown Browser
LockDown Browser is great for proctored environments but consider whether you really need LDB for online test-takers
NEW: You can add some features to make LDB more accessible – see the Advanced Settings in LDB Course Tool
Tip: do NOT Lock Browser on completion with new settings for online test-takers
+Mobile BlackBoard Accessibility
An app for accessibility to BlackBoard through iPhone/iPad or Android-based devices is available
Cost: $5.99 for unlimited use, or $1.99 for one year
Allows for: Checking (but not giving) grades Posting Announcements Reviewing and replying to discussion posts, blogs, and journals Viewing and posting course content and learning materials (can accept
attachments via DropBox) Taking mobile-friendly tests (requires the use of Mobile-Compatible Test
assessment type)
+Accessibility Resources
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
Helpful video accessibility checklist: https://www.howto.gov/social-media/video/508-compliant-video-guide/video-accessibility-checklist
PDF accessibility: http://webaim.org/techniques/acrobat /
Many other excellent articles on making various materials accessible: http://webaim.org/articles/
WAVE accessibility checker for websites and HTML: http://wave.webaim.org
+More Accessibility Resources
PNC: http://www.pnc.edu/distance/webaccessibility/
Purdue Calumet (thanks to Pam Riesmeyer): http://webs.purduecal.edu/webaccessibility/
University of Washington DO-IT Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology
AccessIT
University of Wisconsin – Madison DoIT: Division of Information Technology
Penn State University: AccessAbility
+BlackBoard Resources
Using Blackboard with JAWS Screen Reader: https://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Resources/Accessibility/JAWS-Demo.aspx
Creating accessible course content: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/documents/getting_started_with_accessible_content.pdf
Complete screen reader tutorial for use with BlackBoard: http://support.courses.maine.edu/faculty-staff-support/screen-reader-tutorial
Study on comparing the top LMS systems (2013): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3486333/csun2013/lms_compared_paper_2013.html
+Thanks!
Reach us at: [email protected] Twitter and Facebook: @PNCOLThttp://www.pnc.edu/distance for all workshop notes, links, and training needs