Accessibility is a trending topic in higher education these days. Not only from the standpoint of whether students have access to basic technology, but whether students with disabilities are able to use the resources instructors provide to them. Can all students read the materials provided? Can all students watch or hear the videos linked in courses? Can all students hear the lecture? These are questions which need to be addressed sooner or later. And the sooner, the better. The Boy Scout Motto says, “Be Prepared”. The Golden Rule says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you”.
Are you prepared? Are you treating your disabled students in ways that are thoughtful and equitable?
It isn’t difficult to prepare written materials so they can be read by a screen reader. It takes forethought, time, patience, and practice.
It isn’t difficult to add closed captions to a video. It takes forethought, time, patience, and practice.
It isn’t difficult to amplify a lecture. It takes forethought, time, patience, practice, and maybe some specialized classroom equipment.
It also takes a bit of training. Fortunately, that’s what we do in the department of Instructional Innovation and Online Education.
When you decide that your materials are ready to be made more accessible, just ask. We’ll be glad to show you how it can be done.
