Mandatory Web Accessibility Training for Online Faculty

Mandatory Web Accessibility Training for Online Faculty

Barry Dahl, Desire2Learn

Why: The Case for Web Accessibility

• It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with diverse abilities. Indeed, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes access to information and communications technologies, including the Web, as a basic human right.www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

Who: The Case for Web Accessibility

Accessibility supports social inclusion for people with disabilities as well as others, such as older people, people in rural areas, and people in developing countries.www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

What: Examples of Web Accessibility

• Some basic examples:– Alternative text for images– Full navigation via keyboard– Transcripts for podcasts– Captions for videos– Color choices that help not hinder

www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

Example of alt-text in Desire2Learm

From UW-Milwaukeehttp://uwmltc.org/?p=878

How: Making Online Ed Accessible

• None of this will happen in a vacuum.• Professional development

opportunities are key to improving accessibility in online education.

• Knowledge training in this field needs to be MANDATORY!

www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

Comparing Gravity to Web Accessibility

Same with Accessibility

W3C – National Policies

http://www.w3.org/WAI/Policy/

Use existing training resources.

Some examples

projectone.cannect.org/

webaim.org/resources/

www.w3.org/WAI/users/

www.catea.gatech.edu/grade/

www.doit.wisc.edu/outside-cms/accessibility/online-course/index.htm

www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/accessdl.html

Assessment of Training

• Create Desire2Learn course shell• Enroll all online faculty and related staff• Create one or more assessments• Provide badges or certificates of

completion• Monitor non-completors and send

reminders

Contact Info

• email: Barry.Dahl@Desire2Learn.com

• Twitter: @D2LBarry