DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE ONLINE CLASSROOM: GET UP TO SPEED IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

When it comes to online learning, it’s important to consider digital accessibility, so every student, regardless of ability, can fully engage. Keep in mind that disabilities take many forms, including those that are hidden or situational.

Here are six ways we can improve our digital accessibility right now:

1. Check our accessibility policy –Our organization  already has an accessibility policy and guidelines in place. Begin by familiarizing yourself, so we can make accessibility-minded decisions from the start.
2. Secure support services –Whether we’ve moved your conference presentation online or we’re hosting a virtual exam review, make sure we’ve lined up live-captioning, chat, hand-raising, sign-language and relay services, so we can include all of the members in your audience.
3. Choose the right tools –When we’re choosing tools to take  content online, make sure to  ask vendors questions about accessibility so that we can confidently choose the tools that will serve the broadest audience.
4. Provide resources for using online tools – Ensure that faculty as well as students understand tools they may be using for the first time.  Provide accessible support resources that will help everyone.
5. Make non-lecture content accessible (e.g., exams, assignments, etc.) – Make sure our exams and assignments can be accessed by people with disabilities, including the ways students submit their work and how they receive feedback. Consider providing multiple options to submit assignments.
6. Present to a diverse audience – When we present, whether it’s online or in person, it’s important to take the following tips into consideration, so that we can reach every member of the audience.

• Speak slowly and clearly so captioners and/or interpreters will understand what we’re saying.
• Repeat any questions and comments from the audience so captioners, interpreters, and audience members don’t miss a word.
• Verbally summarize important text, graphics, and videos included in our slides for those who cannot see or read visual content.

These considerations are important beyond their immediate application to adaptations related to COVID-19, and can have a positive, long-term impact on making the digital world more accessible for everyone.

Is your organization ready to embrace digital accessibility? Whether we’re just getting started or want to understand what we could be doing better, the experts at Digital teaching tool can help us for effective delivery.