Asking the Right Questions, Making the Right Decisions: Selecting Accessible Web-based Learning ToolsAisha JacksonUniversity of Colorado Boulder

Technologies Named• Portals• Digital signs• Google Apps• Digital Textbooks • Homework sites• Online Placement Exams• Diagnostic Exams

Solving the Problem• Leveraged Outside Expertise• Relationship Building• Policy and Standards • Capacity Building • Education and Awareness• New Services Launched• Remediation

Homework Sites• Coursera• Desire2Learn• Integrations with Desire2Learn• iTunes U• Kaltura• Qualtrics• VoiceThread

bit.ly/policystandards

WCAG 2.0 AA Principles of Accessibility

• Perceivable – Web content is made available to the senses – sight, hearing, and/or touch

• Operable – Interface forms, controls, and navigation are operable

• Understandable – Content and interface are understandable

• Robust – Content can be used reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

• Is using the tool required for all students?

Ask the Right Questions

• To what degree are you Web Content Accessibility Compliant 2.0 AA?

• Remember POUR

Ask the Right Questions

• Are there known accessibility issues with the web-based learning tool? – If so:• What are the workarounds/alternatives? • What is your timeline for addressing the issues?

– If not: • Have you done any accessibility testing?

– If so, was the accessibility testing conducted by an external organization?

Ask the Right Questions

• Is documentation for students that use assistive technology available?

Ask the Right Questions

Make the Right Decision

If the tool is required, and any of the following are true, choose a different tool.

Make the Right Decisions

Make the Right DecisionsThey are not WCAG 2.0 AA CompliantThere are no workarounds/alternatives for the known accessibility issues. Upon review, you find that the recommended workarounds/alternatives are ineffective or excludes students. The issue(s) will not be addressed before the tool will be used by students. The workarounds/alternatives do not allow you to meet your learning objectives. They indicate that they have not done accessibility testing, or that it was done internally, by their own staff. No documentation is available for assistive technology users.

Make the Right Decisions

“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible”.

- IBM Training Manual

Questions and Discussionaisha.jackson@colorado.edu