Blackboard
Digitally inclusive materials meet accessibility needs through their design and the mode of delivery.
Using the university’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) you can produce digitally accessible course content.
- Use course blogs, discussion forums and journals functions to create new ways for students to engage with course content;
- Produce course material using a variety of media, for example podcasts and videos;
- Use library-supported e-books within reading lists where possible to increase access for students
Blackboard Ally
Ally is a built-in accessibility tool for Blackboard. It is
able to do 3 things:
- Give any document uploaded to Blackboard an accessibility score;
- Provide guidance on how to improve the accessibility of documents uploaded to Blackboard;
- Enable students (and yourself) to download documents in alternatives formats.
Panopto
Using the University’s lecture capture tool you can record lectures while you are giving them. You can also use the desktop recorder to make videos or narrated presentations any time that suits you. The software will also allow you to stream yourself live. Using Panopto means that:
- Students who are unable to access the physical learning space can attend lectures and view lecture material at a different location;
- Students on a blended learning or distance learning courses can attend lectures from wherever they are at whatever time suits them;
- Students can be engaged through the comments and discussion features of Panopto;
- Students who prefer to learn by watching videos can use the lecture recordings to be more effective in their revision;
- Barriers to participation for disabled students who experience difficulties in lecture scenarios as a result of sensory impairments, specific learning difficulties, memory and processing issues, social and communication difficulties and mental health concerns are removed.
Office 365
There are useful guides on how to create accessible documents produced by Microsoft.
On all Office 365 programs you can use the Accessibility Checker to find accessibility issues.
Sensus Access
SensusAccess provides Inclusion Technology that allows students and staff to automatically convert documents into a range of alternate media including audio books, e-books and digital braille. The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG picture and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible and less tricky formats.
Tips for achieving digitally accessible resources
- Use best practice guidelines for creating inclusive documents when creating from scratch;
- Identify unsuitable course documents and recreate them, or work with the library to source inclusive alternatives;
- Where possible use readily available resources/online resources for core texts;
- Produce course material using a variety of media;
- Organise layout and appearance of Blackboard modules so that they are consistent across courses;
- Incorporate accessibility into planning.
Helpful links