Doing The Right Thing

Michael Anderson

Director, Online Learning

University of Texas at San Antonio

Topics

Section 508

Myths

Universal design

Good practices

Section 508

Institutions have the responsibility to

provide resources that are accessible

to everyone.

Three myths

I can wait to add transcripts until a student requests it.◦ that ability expired; lawsuits have already

cost universities big $.

Because of ADA requirements, I can’t do “cool” things in my online course.◦ Anything that’s online can be made

accessible.

◦ Anything that’s online is automatically “cool.”

Captioning video is beyond the financial resources of my institution.◦ YouTube and many software authoring

programs automatically add captions (requires clean-up).

Universal Design

Provide multiple means of

presentation

◦ captions, ALT tags

◦ alternatives (visual, audio)

◦ W3C/WebAIM

◦ checklists

Universal Design

Provide multiple means of expression

◦ vary text assignments with video

assignments

◦ physical options (such as navigation)

Universal Design

Provide multiple means of

engagement

◦ enable choice

◦ require collaboration

◦ encourage reflection

Exercise

Form groups

Discuss and write down a concept or a

topic that would be “next to

impossible” to replicate online in an

accessible manner

Exchange “problems” with the group

to your right

Develop a solution

Share

Good practices

Check applications end-to-end

◦ Your LMS may be usable but is your

login?

Look at every course

◦ Use a consistent rubric such as QM or

cQual

Involve your Disabilities Office

◦ Hire students with disabilities to test

Revise courses every year

◦ Add assignments and collaborative

activities

Conclusion

It’s not just doing the right thing.

It’s doing things right.