Introduction to Accessible Information Technology In Education: A Webcourse Jeff Witzel Technology Specialist AccessIT

About AccessIT National Center on Accessible Information Technology In Education Funded by the National Institution on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Dept. of Education Located at the University of Washington

Goals and Activities AccessIT helps educational institutions make information technology accessible to all students and employees. In so doing individuals with disabilities can benefit from all technology-based educational and school- related activities. AccessIT facilitates the implementation of policies, procedures, and practices that promote the procurement and use by educational entities of accessible information technology that applies universal design principles and meets recognized standards.

Goals and Activities AccessIT works nationwide with NIDRR- funded Disability Business and Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs). By providing training, support, dissemination materials, and technical assistance to the DBTACs, AccessIT utilizes and builds on this existing infrastructure for information dissemination and technical support.NIDRRDisability Business and Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) AccessIT also provides information and training to educational institutions through its website and presentations at educational events.

The Webcourse: Overview Comprehensive Introductory Course, free to the public and viewable in your favorite web browser Eleven lessons Course includes interactive elements, multimedia, external links references, glossary, complex navigation, and review quizzes Fully accessible

Potential Audiences Educators Policy Makers Students of technology, library sciences, engineering, or information sciences IT Specialists and Implementers Advocates Consumers Administrators Anyone : “one-stop shopping” for a thorough introduction to accessibility issues

Getting Started Register online at: Required: name and address Guaranteed not to generate any SPAM or additional inbox clutter AccessIT will conduct a single follow-up online survey to assist us in maintaining funding

Content: Lesson 1 INTRODUCTION define information technology, assistive technology and universal design; discuss the use of information technology in education and some of the accessibility issues and solutions associated with it; and discuss some of the standards and guidelines relevant to accessible information technology.

Content: Lesson 2 ACCESSIBLE WEB DESIGN discuss how accessible web design often provides more choices for all users; and why accessible web design is a good development practice in general; identify three common web elements that can pose accessibility problems; discuss the two major standards and guidelines for web accessibility; and list the merits and shortcomings of using text only pages as an alternative to a traditional website. Evaluating a website comprehensively

Content: Lesson 3 ACCESSIBLE DISTANCE LEARNING explain the characteristics of accessible distance learning environments; describe some of the accessibility barriers instructors and students with disabilities experience when using distance learning tools; and list steps that educational institutions can take to make distance learning environments more accessible both in the short and long term.

Content: Lesson 4 ACCESSIBLE SOFTWARE discuss several common accessibility barriers users with disabilities encounter when using software programs; understand the basic issues and complexity involved in testing software for accessibility; and advocate for procurement of accessible software by educational institutions.

Content: Lesson 5 ACCESSIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS identify ways in which telecommunications equipment is being used in schools; describe accessibility barriers that students or employees with disabilities may face when using telecommunications equipment; and identify solutions that can make telecommunications products more accessible and useable for people with disabilities.

Content: Lesson 6 ACCESSIBLE MULTIMEDIA identify challenges some users may encounter when using multimedia; discuss the relationship between specific sensory impairments and related multimedia components in terms of accessibility and practical solutions;

Content: Lesson 6 consider the different approaches to making multimedia accessible and think about multimedia problems in terms of creating the most robust experience for all consumers; identify several components of "rich media" and its methods of delivery; conceptualize the process of adding captions and video description to multimedia projects; and discuss laws, guidelines and standards that apply to multimedia accessibility.

Content: Lesson 7 SELF-CONTAINED CLOSED PRODUCTS discuss accessibility barriers related to self contained closed products; describe ways to avoid or minimize accessibility problems; and discuss the process of procuring accessible self contained, closed products.

Content: Lesson 8 ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE LAW identify the three federal disability rights laws that address the obligations of public K-12 and postsecondary education to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to IT; explain how the obligations of IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the ADA apply to the provision of accessible IT in public education;

Content: Lesson 8 describe what guidance OCR provides concerning access to information; explain the differences between accessible IT solutions and assistive technology solutions; and explain the differences in probable outcomes that result when a school provides accessible information technology versus individual accommodations.

Content: Lesson 9 IT POLICY IN EDUCATION describe characteristics of different approaches to designing accessibility policies in both K-12 and postsecondary environments; describe the attributes of effective accessibility policies; and systematically review an accessible IT policy.

Content: Lesson 10 PRODUCING RICH MEDIA FOR THE WEB understand what is meant by a "media player," and discuss accessibility features and functionality among major brand name players on the market today; name several key concepts and components of streaming media, as well as different methods of broadcast and delivery and how they affect access for people with sensory disabilities;

Content: Lesson 10 conceptualize the process of adding captions and audio description to rich media projects to make them accessible to most users; and consider the challenges inherent in producing and presenting true multi-sensory rich media experiences in an accessible format.

Content: Lesson 11 ACCESSIBLE FILE FORMATS Discuss the extent to which popular file formats support accessibility Explain the concept of "structural integrity" and how it relates to accessibility of file formats

Content: Lesson 11 Describe ways to improve accessibility of files created using Word, PDF, HTML, and PowerPoint. Describe the rationale behind DAISY and the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) and how its implementation will improve the availability of accessible materials. Describe what current state and federal laws say about accessible file formats

Accessibility Course completely formatted with CSS2 standards “Table” version available on demand “Text Only” version available on demand Generated from a single dynamic Dreamweaver template with no backend database Instructional designers able to add and subtract content with simple HTML elements within a single template

Accessiblity (cont’d) All external links announced via a “title” attribute Hotkeys defined for easy navigation All documents maintain structural integrity (list elements, paragraphs, etc.) All scripted elements degrade gracefully to no-script environments All multimedia elements closed-captioned

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