Accessible Documents: The journey so far Dr. Jennifer George Anglia Learning & Teaching

Overview The context and need Actions Revisions and findings Demonstrations of your choice In 2015, ARU launched its first Accessible Templates and Guides for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and also provided Guidelines for Accessible PDFs. This workshop will present some of the rationale behind it, lessons learnt over the past three years, and provide hands-on training and discussion on some key aspects.

Disabled Student Demographics 2017/2018 11% disabled students compared to 9.6% sector wide Staff comprise of 6% disabled

DSA Funding Cuts 2015/2016 Affected Not Affected Note-taking Readers Scribes Library support assistants Tablets and Apple products Printers and Scanners Digital Voice Recorders* Computer equipment* Accommodation funds Dyslexia tuition BSL interpreters Language support for deaf students Smart phone/laptop recording Specialist support mentoring

ARU Actions 2015 Help towards computer contribution Increased laptops to loan ARU Inclusive Materials Policy Additional in-house software University funded reasonable adjustments

Inclusive Materials Policy KPP 1. Class presentations/outlines must be available to learners two working days in advance of the class. Key purpose: to inform learners of what they will be taught and enable them to prepare in advance in their own time. KPP 2. Core lesson materials will be available two weeks in advance of the class. Key purpose: to enable learners to prepare for the session, engage with the topic in their own time and undertake preparatory work.

Inclusive Materials Policy KPP 3. Our ARU accessible Word and PowerPoint templates must be used for creating all teaching documents and presentations. Key purpose: to provide teaching materials that are accessible and readable by all learners, including those with sight or text impairments. Part of this was also accessible PDFs KPP 4. Recording classes (TBC)

Initiatives so far Accessible Documents Word, PowerPoint Blank and Guide Templates Library pdfs are now accessible Several webinars and face to face workshops Video recording in myPlayer Work with Academic Office on MDF, Module Guide Work with ITS on VLE then LMS

Findings Transformation: Word and PowerPoint Transformation: Library Understanding and ownership Feedback and review Estate on templates Colours and flexibility Guides vs. templates

Accessibility Accessibility is the word used to describe whether a product (for example, a website, mobile site, digital TV interface or application) can be used by people of all abilities and disabilities (BBC, 2014) http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/best_practice/what_is.shtml

Dyslexia Challenges Challenges E.g. What you can do Misreading words Contrast between letters and background Skips words or lines/loses place while reading Prefers listening to reading Social challenges e.g. reading or writing in public Use optimum line-spacing 1.5pt, easy to read fonts Use dark blue on cream background (or editable to change individually) Have clear structure with sub- headings (using Styles and Table of Contents) Have alt text titles and descriptions for all visuals including tables and set them to be ‘in-line’

Where can you find them? At launch of Word or PowerPoint on ARU machines

Where can you find them? Anglia Learning and Teaching Website My Player Lynda.com/LinkedIn Learning

https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/kOTMhgusUS0Pz3g

Please select the topic you would like demonstrated: Visual Impairment Font styling and Colour PowerPoint view, use and print options Structure > Heading Styles > Automated Table of Contents Images and Alt tags Tables Accessibility Checkers

Visual Impairment Challenge E.g. What you can do Other visual impairment Blindness Colour Blindness Follow same as Dyslexia challenges Always use text in addition to any colour coding http://www.inclusivedesigntoolkit.com/betterdesign2/simsoftware/simsoftware.html

Microsoft Word: Images Great for concept exemplification Good alternative to text They are an assistive technology Helps learners with text and language related difficulties Helpful for magnifier users Use ‘screen tips’ over image for screen readers Use images for amplification or illustration Visual learners

Microsoft Word: Images Alt-text – photo of flower – could be to simply say what it is. Description is if you would like more detail. In this case, pink tulip bunch..

Tables

Tables

Word and PowerPoint The Adobe Add-in, also called PDFMaker is recommended.