Accessibility Minute - August 2024

Welcome to our August issue of the Accessibility Minute Newsletter! This newsletter is produced by the CU Boulder Digital Accessibility Office and covers one accessibility skill or topic per month. Please visit the DAO website to access past newsletters. As always, thank you for taking a minute (or two!) to read.

Accessibility Reminders for Instructors

As the new semester begins, it's crucial to ensure that your course materials are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. While specific guidelines may vary by institution, the principles of creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment remain the same. This month's newsletter highlights key accessibility considerations to help you start the semester on the right foot.

Strongly Encouraged Accessibility Steps (Required for CU Boulder Faculty)

  • Ensure that your course syllabi are accessible. For new syllabi, you can utilize the DAO’s accessible syllabus template (Word doc) or the . To improve the accessibility of an existing syllabus, refer to our accessible Word document guide.
  • All syllabi should include a disability accommodation statement. Contact your disability support services or similar office for this statement.
  • If students in your course request accommodations, it is vital that you respond promptly to these requests and adhere to the guidance provided by your institution’s disability services or similar office.
  • In your syllabus, list all digital software and tools that students will be required to use in your class. Advance communication enables students to voice any accessibility concerns regarding these services. Additionally, we recommend indicating whether students need to view any video or audio content. Again, this will assist students in proactively requesting any necessary accommodations before deadlines.

Additional Steps to Enhance the Accessibility of Your Course

It is best to take a proactive approach when creating or using digital content in your course when possible. Proactively implementing accessibility into your course helps ensure all students are given an equal opportunity to access materials and participate in activities. Even with the proactive approach to accessibility, it is important to keep in mind that the need for accommodations will always be present, as everyone’s needs are unique and can be dependent on external factors such as environment, course objectives, etc. Below are some proactive steps you can take to enhance the accessibility of your course.

  • Set the tone for an inclusive environment by encouraging students to communicate their accessibility needs. Along with providing an accessibility statement in your syllabus, it can significantly reduce anxiety for students to communicate their needs if instructors make it clear that they are open to making adjustments and supporting their students’ needs.
  • Apply content accessibility fundamental practices to your course design and external course content. The application of accessibility practices will vary depending on your campus Learning Management System (LMS). We recommend researching your campus' LMS accessibility guidance, which can generally be found on the LMS provider's website.
  • Proactively caption video content used in your courses. Auto-generated captions can be helpful; however, it is recommended that you edit captions manually to ensure accuracy. Please note that if a student has captioning accommodations, then human-edited captions are required for post-production video content. If you are affiliated with CU Boulder, email Captioning@Colorado.EDU for a consultation or training support.
  • If you use Zoom for course instruction, learn about Zoom accessibility best practices.
  • Proactively share your course materials in advance, including documents, slide decks, videos, etc. Many participants, both those with and without disabilities, benefit from having direct access to your slides before, during, and after a presentation. Advance access is especially important for people who use assistive technology and those who need more time to process information. Access to the slides during a presentation can also help students focus and take notes.
  • Learn about implementing Universal Design teaching practices in the classroom.
  • Investigate the accessibility of your digital publisher-generated content using the DAO’s E-Text Accessibility Evaluation Guide.

It is important to note that accessibility is an ongoing process. We recommend you regularly seek student feedback and stay updated on the latest accessibility guidelines and tools. Minor adjustments can make a big difference in creating an inclusive learning environment.

August Challenge

  • Review your course content for accessibility.
    • Do your videos have accurate captions?
    • Is your course design and external course content created with accessibility best practices?
  • Consult with your institution’s disability services or similar office to enhance the accessibility of your course or if you are affiliated with CU Boulder, contact the DAO at DigitalAccessibility@Colorado.EDU for support.

DAO News

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DAO Office Hours are now the 4th Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2 PM MT. Our next office hours will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, August 27th, 2024.