UW Blackboard Ally Deployment

Introduction: Inclusion & Access Accessibility People with disabilities are able to access, engage and benefit as equally as non disabled peers Benefits to the larger community as a whole when we include all types of people UW Values of Diversity, Access & Inclusion Momentum gathering on inclusion and access for all for our programs, services and activities Investment of resources to improve systems Culture shifts in how we teach and learn We is greater than me and be boundless campaign concepts

AWESOME Cross-Org Service Team UW-IT Accessible Technology Terrill Thompson, Dan Comden UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS) Jack Nguyen UW Compliance Services Bree Callahan UW Learning Technologies Doug Herstad, Jason Smith UW-IT Academic Experience Design & Delivery Karin Roberts, Heidi Stahl, Bill Schaefer, Tom Lewis

Ally Feature Rollout Dates Alternative Format Download Feature Released Oct 2018 Instructor Feedback Feature Limited Release: Dec 2018 Full Release: Mar 18, 2019 (Mon) Institutional Report Access Release date TBD

Instructor Feedback Feature Limited Release Began mid December ‘18 34 participants, all three campuses Feedback survey Usage stats Score-icon clicks: 957 File improvements: 425

Survey says!

What was your first response to seeing the Ally Instructor Feedback indicators in your course? “Cool, can't wait to use!” “It seemed a little overwhelming, seeing all of the icons everywhere. After I started clicking on the image icons and fixing them (turning them green), I got more motivated/ less overwhelmed.” "Ugh, my lecture slide captures aren't as accessible as I hoped :(“

Responses (continued) “Sad but not surprised.” “I have no idea what the indicators mean!” “I found the icons to be straightforward, clear, and effective.” “Glad” “This is helpful!” “Excellent! Everyone should use this!”

How would you rate the Ally Instructor Feedback tool for helping you to fix accessibility issues?

Comments “It alerted me to problem areas and gave me clear suggestions on how to fix. I've been to trainings about web accessibility and have basic knowledge, but this tool is baked into the place where I need to be paying attention. It's a great idea.” “I think it is fine; seems at times a lot of work to fix the problem.“ “Nice reminder on lowest-hanging-fruit problems we should have done already.”

Comments (continued) “I learned how to make documents accessible going forward, but just do not have time to go back and rework all of the existing documents I have.” “For images and text files that you have the original in Word or PPT, then it is very helpful. For PDFs with no source, then it's less helpful.” “Just identifying issues and learning ways to address them was very helpful.”

How do you think other faculty you know will react to the Ally Instructor Feedback tool?

What additional training and/or support is needed to help faculty use the Ally Instructor Feedback tool? “In-person training for addressing some of the issues that can't be fixed by/through Ally.” “Perhaps online videos/tip sheets on the most common problem areas.” “Tools to create accessible PDF files.” “Time to apply changes”

Additional training/support (continued) Most faculty have zero knowledge of accessible computing problems. They need more than a tool; they need a brief training on just how difficult learning is when materials are inaccessible, and how unlikely most students are to advocate for themselves. “It would be helpful to know how many students need help with accessibility, and why these steps are so important.”

Reports!

Alternative File Downloads (so far) Oct 2018 – Feb 2019 | 15,164 Total (out of ~188,000)

Top 4 SEVERE Issues (all course files)

Top 4 MAJOR Issues

Top 4 MINOR Issues

Support planning…

Ally Support Resources In-tool help IT Connect Blackboard Ally help docs Accessible Technologies: remediation docs, training, tools & services Learning Technologies (training, help@u) Libraries (i.e. scanning assistance) …and possibly more to come based on need.

Getting the word out…

“Ally is Coming!” Direct messaging to instructors, students, advisors, Deans, Directors, advocates Canvas & MyUW messaging Presentations to key groups such as this one (10+ and counting) Articles in numerous UW-IT publications (that cover all UW populations) “Advocate outreach” – e.g. to Student Senate reps

We’ve only just begun… Continue communication, marketing, and education efforts Publish stats – show improvements over time Evolve support efforts based on need …and integrate great ideas we learn along the way from people like you!

Thank you! Questions?