Accessibility: Reaching All Learners Brittany Leigh, AT Coordinator/Interim Director for Accessibility Services Eric Bryan, UX Specialist for Learning Design

Overview Overview of Laws and Important Terms Accessibility of Online Content Accessibility in the Classroom Resources Q & A

Kahoot!

Mission Statement “The mission of the Office of Accessibility Services is to assist students with specific learning needs in achieving access to higher education and to promote their ongoing  personal and educational success, as well as to increase the awareness and responsiveness of the campus community to students with disabilities.”

Part 1: Overview of Laws and Important Terms

Laws Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 Overview of Laws and Important Terms Laws Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 The first law to protect people with disabilities based on status 1​ Protects against discrimination of programs receiving federal funding “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability…shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…” 2

Laws ADA, 1990 ADAAA (ADA Amendment Act), 2008 Overview of Laws and Important Terms Laws ADA, 1990 Broad civil rights law pertaining to public life, including work, school, transportation, telecommunication, and government services 4​ Divided into 5 sections (title 3 pertains to private universities)  ADAAA (ADA Amendment Act), 2008 Broadened the interpretation of “disability” 5 Substantially limiting physical or mental impairment 6

Laws What Do They All Mean? ADA: Blanket protection of individuals Overview of Laws and Important Terms Laws What Do They All Mean? ADA: Blanket protection of individuals ADAAA: Increasing access to these rights  Section 504: Leveling the playing field​

Overview of Laws and Important Terms

Overview of Laws and Important Terms Assistive Technology: “…products, equipment, and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for persons with disabilities.” 7 Styluses, seat cushions, audio amplifiers, highlighters, etc. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)​ Governs accessibility of K-12 schools ​ Schools work 1-on-1 with students ​ IEP (Individualized Education Plan) ​ Physical/psychological evaluation; determines student’s needs and how they are to be met Self-Advocacy Transitioning from IDEA to ADA requires responsibility

Part 2: Accessibility of Online Content

Providing Online Content Accessibility of Online Content Providing Online Content Questions to ask yourself: How is the student meant to interact with this object? How would a visually-impaired student interact with this information? How would a hearing-impaired student interact with this information? Is a mouse required to access this information? What is the significance of this learning item or object? What is the best way to present this information? accessibility

Inclusive Design Accessibility of Online Content Equitable Use: provides the same use for all Flexibility in Use: accommodates a wide range of preferences and abilities Simple & Intuitive Use: easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, skills, or abilities Low Physical Effort: ensures efficiency and comfort by being aware of potential visual strain and/fatigue Consistent Accessibility: ensures seamless use of assistive technologies accessibility

Proactive Design Accessibility of Online Content accessibility Contrast: ensures color is not the only method used to convey meaning Keyboard Accessibility: ensures all functionality is not mouse-centric accessibility Predictability: ensures navigation, functionality, and operations are predictable Readability: text larger than 11, content without elaborate font Text Alternatives:  Alt tags Video Alternatives: close captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts

Design Elements Color Images Links Video/Audio Text Accessibility of Online Content Design Elements Color Contrast Images Alt Tags Links More…? Video/Audio Transcripts Text Variation

Text Function Text Images Video/Audio Accessibility of Online Content Transcripts Information Variation Text Function Screen readers will not read text in images Magnification will make the image pixelated Common font families are used

Images Function Text Images Video/Audio Accessibility of Online Content Video/Audio Text Images Transcripts Information Variation Images Function Necessary vs. Decorative Images Description of the image Significance of the image How the image relates Tables

Photo Example Function Text Images Video/Audio Accessibility of Online Content Video/Audio Text Images Transcripts Information Variation Photo Example Function

Table Example Function Text Images Video/Audio Accessibility of Online Content Video/Audio Text Images Transcripts Information Variation Table Example Function

ha Video/Audio Function Text Images Video/Audio Accessibility of Online Content Video/Audio Text Images Transcripts Information Variation Video/Audio Function Transcripts Closed/open Captioning Contains additional descriptions, explanations, or comments that may be beneficial, such as indications of laughter or an explosion.  ha

Part 3: Accessibility in the Classroom

Accessibility in the Classroom

In the Classroom Letters of Accommodation Accessibility in the Classroom In the Classroom Letters of Accommodation Requested at the start of each semester online Some accommodations impact routine and/or atmosphere: Live- captioning, interpretation, service animals, students of the spectrum How to accommodate these changes Tech Trials and Clear Speech Conversations about policy Adjusting Exams (Limit Pop Quizzes)

Accessibility in the Classroom A note on altered attendance policies and deadline extensions: As-needed accommodations “Assignment” refers to essays, homework, etc. (not to discussion posts or exams) Focus on UDL (Universal Design for Learning) Principle for curriculum and architectural development Making things/places accessible to a wide range of people Had 7 principles, including equitability of use and simple/intuitive use 8 UDL for Learning has 4 principles and considers the what, why, and how of learning 9 Recognizes 3 cognitive networks and corresponding guidelines

Accessibility in the Classroom

In the Classroom UDL and Accessibility Best Practices Accessibility in the Classroom In the Classroom UDL and Accessibility UDL prepares you for accommodating students Best Practices Offer varied explanations of lecture content Allow students varied ways to demonstrate knowledge Post your PPTs in Courses Use PPTs Face the classroom when you speak Give assignments in written form Be Present and Be Flexible

Part 4: Resources

Resources Educators Students Faculty Resource Page: Link Faculty Rights & Responsibilities Syllabus Statement Universal Design for Learning FAQs CAVE Tutoring Center (Testing Center): cave@saintleo.edu Students New Student Application: Link Main OAS Website: Link

Q & A

Contact Information Brittany Leigh: (352)588-8461. Kirk Hall 121. brittany.leigh@saintleo.edu Eric Bryan: (352)588-7490. Benedictine Hall. eric.bryan@saintleo.edu

Sources “Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.” DREDF. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/​ “Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973.” United States Department of Labor. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/crc/sec504.htm “IT Accessibility Laws and Policies.” Section508.gov. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies “What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?” ADA National Network. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://adata.org/learn-about-ada​ “Fact Sheet on the EEOC’s Final Regulations Implementing the ADAAA.” U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/regulations/adaaa_fact_sheet.cfm “What Is the Definition of Disability under the ADA?” ADA National Network. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-disability-under-ada​ “What is AT?” Assistive Technology Industry Association. Accessed August 13, 2018. https://www.atia.org/at-resources/what-is-at/ “The 7 Principles.” National Disability Authority. Accessed August 13, 2018. http://universaldesign.ie/What-is-Universal-Design/The-7-Principles/ “Universal Design for Learning Guidelines.” CAST. Accessed January 2, 2018. http://udlguidelines.cast.org/?utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=none&utm_source=cast- about-udl