Distance learning starts with a universally designed website and builds from there.
EqTD AUDIT
Use this AUDIT to evaluate the accessibility and usability of non-text graphics in a variety of media.
R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee
EqTD AUDIT
EqTD Manual
In-line EqTD AUDIT
Here is the AUDIT to use to evaluate the accessibility of in-line text characters that need to be treated as graphic elements for accessibility e.g. subscript, ampersand, foreign letters.
R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee
In-line EqTD AUDIT
In-line EqTD AUDIT Manual (Version 1.3)
EqTD's for Graphic Elements - Why & Where
Equivalent text descriptions (EqTD's) are extremely important and can be tricky. Here you will find a set of EqTD related documents that detail processes, purposes and levels of complexity. The origin of providing alternative text for graphic elements and a brief review of the R2D2 standard are included.
R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee
Equivalent Text Descriptions - Why and Where
Equivalent Text Description (EqTD) Tutorial for Graphics
This short tutorial provides examples and a structure for writing equivalent text descriptions for graphic elements.
R2D2 Center at UW-Milwaukee
Tutorial for EqTDs
No Manual Formatting
In word processed documents (that are not RTF files), formatting with the use of "B" or "I" or by manually organizing content with tabs, underlines, etc. provides structure and organization that is only available to sighted readers. Using the "styles" features of word processing software is essential to creating documents that are universally designed.
No Manual Formatting
Video Closed Captioning Protocol
This protocol will help you to create a video with a caption track. Videos captioned with this method will be playable by older versions of QuickTime, back to QuickTime 3 (depending on video and audio code used).
Video Closed Captioning Protocol
Video Descriptive Track Protocol (Draft)
This protocol will help you create a video with an additional audio track that attempts to describe the visual component of the video. Note that the file created from this document will always have the additional track playing. We are currently examining the possibility of adding a toggle button.
Video Descriptive Track Protocol (Draft)
Results of a survey of a cross section of 208 internet users throughout the UK with disabilities which affect the way they use the internet, comprising the visually impaired/blind, hearing impaired/deaf, physically disabled, and those with dyslexia/learning difficulties. Top 5 ANNOYANCES for users and top 5 most useful features are reported in this one-page article from OUT-LAW News.
OUT-LAW.com, a newsletter of the internatonal law firm of Pinsent Masons
"Do the increased opportunities in distance education programs and advanced technology indicate better access and better outcomes in higher education for people with disabilities?" Key findings and implications discussed.
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
A tutorial comprised of 10 modules that offer information, instructional techniques and practice labs to make distance education accessible. Tutorials are in-depth and require 1 to 6 hours depending on topic. Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education
CATEA
One part of his comprehensive tutorial, these pages discuss the complexities of tables and how to make them accessible.
Jim Thatcher
EDUCAUSE offers several opportunities throughout the year for learning and training for IT Professionals in higher education.
EDUCAUSE
Information and technology for developing accessible online teaching. Center for Universal Design, N.C. State University; IDEA Center, University at Buffalo; Global Universal Design Educator's Network
Universal Design Education Online
GRADE's mission is to improve accessibility of distance educations. The website includes a tutorial, course design models, fact sheets, guidelines and more.
CATEA
"The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) monitors and promotes electronically-mediated distance education policies and practices that enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families."
Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities
"The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) monitors and promotes electronically-mediated distance education policies and practices that enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families." Comprehensive site with fact sheets, videos, webcasts (with archives) and more.
National Center on Disability and Access to Education
"Collaborative project funded in part by Networks Ontario's Telecommunication Access Partnerships (TAP) program and designed to expand opportunities in distance learning for people with disabilities."
University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
"This video presentation provides guidelines for designing Internet-based distance learning courses to fully include all students, including those with disabilities." 11:55 minutes.
University of Washington, DO-IT
Very comprehensive. Case studies, challenges to learning and related articles are presented in addition to the "how-to". "Making multimedia e-learning optimally accessible is not about ticking a checklist! All our advice encourages a thoughtful and analytic approach to addressing accessibility issues. Accessible e-learning is achieved by engagement, not by formula."
Skills for Access Project - UK
Provides checklists to assess the level of UD in distance learning for students, designers, faculty, and distance learning program evaluators.
Burgstahler, S. University of Washington, DO-IT
