Digital Accessibility Resources

Tools for speech input, such as voice typing and commands

• Google Docs Voice Typing: Found under the ‘tools’ tab, or the Control + Shift + S key. 
• Similarly for Word, going to Home and then Dictate will turn on/off the speech input function. 
• UtterlyVoice is a free (for now) program that allows for hands-free computer usage for WindowsOS. UtterlyVoice download
• TalonVoice is another free hands-free program, compatible with MacOS, Linux and WindowsOS. TalonVoice main page with download links.
• Dictation.Io is a voice-to-text browser program that supports 30 different languages. Dictation.io Speech Input

Websites on accessibility education

Education can be incredibly unaccommodating towards students with disabilities. 21% of undergraduate and 11% of graduate students have some form of disabling condition. Students with disabilities have a harder time getting through all levels of schooling, and often won’t report their disabilities. This can be due to the process being challenging, not believing that they are ‘sick enough’, or for any other reason. It is important that educators promote resources and give support to students with disabilities readily. 

As teachers, the main goal is to give every student the opportunity to learn the course material. By addressing difficulties, it creates a space more conducive to focusing on what is being taught without the need to worry about not being supported. Utilizing the Universal Design for Learning is also a way to encourage accessible education. By giving students a range of ways to learn, they can feel more comfortable in finding a method that works for them. This benefits not just those with disabilities, but everyone who is learning. 

Accessible Social is a good resource for learning about creating accessible spaces, and has guides on how to start: Accessible Social’s Homepage. Ideance also has a huge amount of tools on their digital accessibility resources page! 

Programs to check content accessibility: 

• Colorblindly Chrome Extension for simulating color blindness on websites. Helps to make sure that the colors contrast in a way that is not inaccessible. 
• Lowvision Support simulates various visual impairments. Useful for checking if websites being given to students are accessible. 
• Tingtun PDF Checker One of many PDF accessibility scanners. Gives detailed insight into how accessible an uploaded file is.

PDF/Teaching Material Accessibility

• Use clear, consistent layouts, navigation, and organization schemes to present content. Keep paragraphs short and avoid flashing content.
• Use descriptive wording for hyperlink text (e.g., “DO-IT website” rather than “click here”).
• Use a text-based format and structure headings, lists, and tables using style and formatting features within your content creation software, as well as utilize built-in page layouts where applicable.
• Provide concise text descriptions of content presented within images (text descriptions web resource).
• Use large, bold, sans serif fonts on uncluttered pages with plain backgrounds.
• Use color combinations that are high contrast and can be distinguished by those who are colorblind (color contrast web resource). Do not use color alone to convey meaning.
• Caption videos and transcribe audio content.

Accessible Student Engagement and Learning 

• Recommend a range of materials to students where they can gain technical skills needed for course participation.
• Provide multiple ways for students to learn (such as a combination of text, video, audio, and/or image; speak aloud all content presented on slides in synchronous presentations and then record them for later viewing).
• Provide multiple ways to communicate and collaborate that are accessible to individuals with a variety of disabilities (in-person meetings, email, zoom)
• Provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate what they have learned (e.g., different types of test items, portfolios, presentations, single-topic discussions).
• Address a wide range of language skills as you write content (e.g., use plain English, spell out acronyms, define terms, avoid or define jargon).
• Make instructions and expectations clear for activities, projects, discussions and readings.
• Make examples and assignments relevant to learners with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.
• Offer outlines and other scaffolding tools and share tips that might help students learn.
• Allow adequate time for practice, activities, projects, and tests (e.g., give details of all project assignments at the beginning of the course).
• Provide feedback on project parts and offer corrective opportunities.