We must also be demanding of their publishers that authoring tools be more accessibility aware. Editors like XStandard at least encourage accessible writing and discourage bad habits. We must be aiming at Incidental Obligatory Accessibility where the editor or environment encourages or even insists that you, for example:

• Use styles for heading, formatting and bullets (not random bolds and font changes);
• Provide alt text for images and labels for tables;
• Not to mention providing text descriptions for video etc;
• And even tag reading order in columnar or boxed text.

 

To be fully accessible will always require some technical knowledge which it is probably not reasonable to expect the lay author to have. But the tools we have to use could be much more helpful than they are. And that will only come if we shout and complain to software publishers. Post Hoc Accessifying is always going to be a pain. IOA is at least partly possible, a good discipline and not too much extra trouble. If we have the tools.

 

 

I am interested in this subject too. As an ex-academic I can say that generally the content is taken for granted, provision by distance means is taken as a technical problem divorced from academic considerations.

 

By involving students in the preparation of materials opens up a whole new can of worms, they cannot be expected to be responsible for accessibility. Some central body has to take on this responsibility. This begs the question of who is to tell academics and others that their material must be accessible not just the delivery mechanism.

 

 

 

Hi All,

 

I’m hoping somebody may be able to help me.

 

With the rapidly emerging range of e-learning technologies becoming available, ensuring accessibility is an issue which really needs to be addressed.  Here at Swansea University there are a number of e-learning initiatives based on web 2.0 technologies ongoing.  Things like wikis, blogs and social networking type websites, some of which are actively used in the learning and teaching environment.  Mobile phone providers such as Orange/Vodafone are looking to get in on this too.

 

We need to ensure that these websites, specifically the content, is accessible, without stifling academic freedom.  I am thinking in particular with regards to students who have been asked to post content.  An example would be where a group of students have been asked to create a blog/wiki as part of their course.  How do we ensure that a podcast or video is fully accessible?  Do we ask the students to provide a full transcript for these or is there a department responsible for transcription services?  Whose responsibility is it to ensure accessibility?  Is it the institution or individual member of staff?  Many of these web 2.0 technologies are widely available externally and it is almost impossible to prevent enterprising Academics  from using them as a core part of a module/course.

 

While I understand that educating the staff on disability issues is important, we need to have some kind of University policy/guidelines to ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities.  My questions are;  How are other institutions prepared for this and how do they manage this?  Who has responsibility for ensuring content is accessible – institution, Academics or students?  And do you have any policies in place that you would be prepared to share?

 

Really appreciate any comments or help you can provide.  Many thanks In advance!

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Nathalie M Richards

IT Officer / Swyddog Cymorth TG

Library & Information Services and Student Services / Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Gwybodaeth  & Gwasanaethau Cefnogi Myfyrwyr

Swansea University / Prifysgol Abertawe

Singleton Park / Parc Singleton

Swansea / Abertawe

SA2 8PP

Tel / Ffôn: 01792 602236

Email / E-bost:  [log in to unmask]
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Swansea University: winner of the 2005 Times Higher Education Supplement Award for the UK's Best Student Experience

Prifysgol Abertawe: enillydd Gwobr y Times Higher Education Supplement 2005 am y Profiad Gorau i Fyfyrwyr yn y DU