When thinking about accessibility and inclusive teaching practice, technology is often cited as a solution. Technology can certainly assist students with disabilities but well designed online learning provision can benefit all learners.
Central to this is a shift in focus away from the ‘deficit’ model of perceiving disability, where Universities respond to a ‘need’ and adopting a ‘social’ model that addresses the structural barriers to students’ ability to participate, and succeed in learning. This is where technology can play a key role in levelling the learning playing field by designing systems that optimise access for all (JISC Quick Guide, Getting started with accessibility and inclusion).
The University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard, is fully compatible with internationally recognised accessibility standards and has in-built features that allow students with different impairments to engage with digital content.
Turnitin is working towards full compliance. A text based PDF version of students’ work can be downloaded to work with screen-readers.
There are also things you can do to when producing your learning materials to ensure students have the best experience.
Find out how to make the most of the accessibility features in Blackboard and Turnitin.
Find advice on making your documents and screencasts accessible in the Creating accessible teaching and learning resources blackboard course. (Log-in and click the +Enrol button.)
The Library guide to Inclusive Technology provides advice on accessibility features that students can use including Windows, Microsoft and Office365.