Accessible Blackboardblackboard learn™ release 9.1

Beth MacNeil Stinson

Beth MacNeil Stinson

• 18 years in higher education

• 10+ years in software development

• 7 years at Blackboard

• User advocate

About YouCollaborate Poll

A. I am an instructor or instructional designer.

B. I am a systems administrator for Blackboard applications or I am a school administrator, for example Director of Distance Education.

C. I work in Student Services, assisting students with their courses.

D. I am a student, grad student, researcher, or other interested person.

Outline of Today’s Session

Introduction

Accessibility

Universal Design

Q&A

What is a Disability?

A disability is a contextual variable

It is dynamic over time and in relation to circumstances reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

The Blackboard Learn Platform is Accessible

Structure

• Standard HTML

• Tables present data

• Content designed using heading tags

• Bulleted and ordered lists demonstrate sequencing

• Users told when new windows open

• Users told when they are leaving Blackboard

Assessments

• Instructions are clear

• Objectives in multiple places

• Alternative assessments available

• Test questions accessible

• Multiple attempts allowed

• Feedback provided for answers

Course Content

• Multimedia captioned

• Content can be printed

• Concepts presented in multiple ways

• Long descriptions for images, diagrams, and charts

• Alternatives for interactive exercises or experiences (Second Life, games)

Collaboration

• Instructions for tools

• Instructions for Java Access Bridge provided for the Chat tool

• Clear expectations for participation

• Private communication available

• Students can collect and print discussion posts

Awareness Through Empathy

Inspiration

Information

Resources

Student ServicesCollaborate Poll

A. I am aware that my school has a Student Services office.

B. I have visited my school’s Student Services office.

C. I have worked with my school’s Student Services office (or other department/agency) to help a student be successful in a course.

D. What is Student Services?

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.

Alternate ways to demonstrate what they know.

Appropriate challenges using their interests and motivations.

- Center for Applied Technology

Learning and Cognitive Disabilities

Sensory Input

Language

Activity

Memory

Integration – sequencing, abstraction, organization

In BlackboardMultiple modes of information

• Text, diagrams, video, audio, multimedia

Reinforcement

• Self-tests, collaboration activities, and homework (Assignments) to allow for practice

Repetition

• Test re-takes, drafts for writing assignments

Objectives

• Syllabus, Rubrics, Course Objectives

Sensory and Physical

Temporary

Permanent

In BlackboardFormat content for assistive technology• Use heading tags in documents and HTML

• Have keyboard stroke input for drag & drop and point & click activities

• Use TAB to navigate between fields

Alternative assessment schemes• Give more time for online tests

• Allow for caregiver assistance with Guest account

Neurological and Psychological

Attention Deficit Disorder

Traumatic Brain Injury

Mental Illness

In Blackboard

Flexibility and Working Offline• Content can be downloaded and printed

allowing students to work offline

• Clear written objectives and deadlines are provided with a Syllabus, Calendar, and Tasks

• Students can work at their own pace using Adaptive Release

• Remedial material provided using Groups or Adaptive Release

English as Second or Other Language

Language is the difficulty, not ability

Simplify presentation of content, not the content itself

In Blackboard

Clarity and Organization• Precise written objectives and deadlines

provided with a Syllabus, Calendar, and Tasks

• Allow students to select a different Language Pack when available

• Break up long passages into bulleted lists and shorter pages while avoiding slang, idioms, and jargon

• Provide a Rubric for all graded items

• Use the Glossary to provide definitions

Culture and Customs

Color Scheme

Activities

Expectations

Plagiarism

In BlackboardUse Color with Intent• Allow students to customize their Blackboard

desktop

• Use colors in content that appeal to your students

Successful Group Activities• Create groups to empower everyone

• Consider sign up sheets

Include Stakeholders• Guests and Observers

SafeAssign

Limited Access or Experience with Technology

Bandwidth

Lexicon

Inexperience is the difficulty, not ability

In BlackboardProvide Orientation and Help• Use the Discussion Board or Content Area for

instructions on using Blackboard

• Include help desk information in multiple places

Plain language and a lexicon• Use the Glossary to provide definitions for

technological terminology

• Use examples and analogies to explain

Phone a friend• Use small Groups to pair students

Universal Design SummaryLearning disabilities

Sensory and physical disabilities

Neurological and psychological disabilities

English as a second or other language

Culture and customs

Limited access to or experience with technology

A Happy Ending

Awareness

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