Special Education Needs and Disabilities: Implications of New Legislation and Guidance for HE Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Accessibility Mike Sanders - LTSN-GEES Dave McCarthy - TechDis Geoff Robinson - LTSN-GEES

About this session Raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities in HE with respect to Information and Communication Technology –Access to resources –Web accessibility –Other electronic resources Identify resources to help you deal with accessibility issues Give you an opportunity to ask questions

Two key phrases in the legislation:...not to treat disabled students less favourably, without justification, for a reason which relates to their disability to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that people who are disabled are not put at a substantial disadvantage compared to people who are not disabled in accessing further, higher and Local Education Authority-secured education.

E.g. of less favourable treatment A deaf student participates in a computer based test where video and audio is used to demonstrate a concept. The video contains no subtitles and the student is unable to answer any questions pertaining to that section of the test and receives a lower grade. This is likely to be less favourable treatment.

E.g. of reasonable adjustment A tutor puts lecture notes prior to his lectures on the institution intranet, he has several students with dyslexia taking his classes who all access materials on computers. The tutor changes his practice so that all of his materials written in HTML meet established guidelines. This ensures that there is no conflict with specialist software or features that students with dyslexia may be using. This is likely to be a reasonable adjustment.

Disclaimer What we are showing and telling here is not advice it is simply information

Overview of areas affected Access to resources – assistive technology What is assistive technology? What assistive technology is available?

Overview of areas affected Web accessibility –It is likely that Institutions will have to provide accessible institutional services, including departmental, faculty and institutional Web sites –JISC Senior Management Briefing Paper 15

Overview of areas affected Other electronic resources –It is likely that Institutions will have to provide accessible educational services, such as Intranets, Virtual and Managed Learning Environments and other digital resources including student handbooks etc. –JISC Senior Management Briefing Paper 15

Useful Resources Please refer to your handout This list is also available on the resources area of the GEES website – From these resources you should be able to find many more

Who you should be telling about this / who in your institution can help? You need to engage the teaching and learning technology staff in your departments and Institution. The teaching and learning technology staff need to liase with disabilities staff within the institution and services like Techdis.

Concluding Comments E-Learning: –Whilst the legislation is forcing the issue in order to address the disabilities agenda, it presents an opportunity to ensure that materials are adaptable and usable for all students, by complying with guidelines. Access to Resources: –Good practice for students with disabilities is likely to be good practice

Another resource The new issue of Interactions, focuses on the theme of Web Accessibility in Higher Education. – The articles are: Accessibility and Leglislation in Higher Education Ensuring provision for students with a visual impairment using technology Information underload - Web design and people with disabilities Accessibility of the Interactions Web Site