Type of Presentation
Workshop (1 hour and 15 minutes)
Target Audience
Higher Education
Location
Room 1005
Abstract
The number of students with disabilities in the United States is steadily increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, 11.3 percent of undergraduates reported some type of disability. The laws under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding electronic and information technology (EIT) dictate changes that institutions must make to ensure accessibility for these students and the public at large.
All individuals, including those with disabilities, must have the tools for a world-class education offering them opportunities for success as a student and in the workplace. Due to rapid changes in information technology, this presents challenges that may be compounded when a student must use adaptive technology or has a learning disability. While accessibility guidelines stipulate equal opportunity to the educational benefits afforded by instructional materials and technology, educators and librarians are often uncertain about the requirements for websites, documents (tests, class handouts, forms) and videos shown in class or posted online.
During this interactive workshop, a librarian and Disability Support coordinator will share how they developed a training program for faculty and staff and will provide guidance for some of the most frequently asked questions about accessibility:
- What are the laws or guidelines?
- What are the requirements for instructional materials?
Attendees will receive step-by step instructions to check existing materials for accessibility issues and create new materials that are ADA compliant.
Presentation Description
While accessibility guidelines stipulate equal opportunity to the educational benefits afforded by instructional materials and technology, educators and librarians are often uncertain about the requirements for websites, documents (tests, class handouts, forms) and videos shown in class or posted online. During this interactive workshop, a librarian and Disability Support coordinator will share how they developed a training program for faculty and staff and will provide guidance for some of the most frequently asked questions about accessibility: • What are the laws or guidelines? • What are the requirements for instructional materials? Attendees will receive step-by step instructions to check existing materials for accessibility issues and create new materials that are ADA compliant.
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Whitesell, Melissa and Roberson, Andrea Ms., "Accessibility for All: New Laws and Strategies for Diverse Learners" (2015). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 51.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2015/2015/51
Accessibility for All: New Laws and Strategies for Diverse Learners
Room 1005
The number of students with disabilities in the United States is steadily increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, 11.3 percent of undergraduates reported some type of disability. The laws under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding electronic and information technology (EIT) dictate changes that institutions must make to ensure accessibility for these students and the public at large.
All individuals, including those with disabilities, must have the tools for a world-class education offering them opportunities for success as a student and in the workplace. Due to rapid changes in information technology, this presents challenges that may be compounded when a student must use adaptive technology or has a learning disability. While accessibility guidelines stipulate equal opportunity to the educational benefits afforded by instructional materials and technology, educators and librarians are often uncertain about the requirements for websites, documents (tests, class handouts, forms) and videos shown in class or posted online.
During this interactive workshop, a librarian and Disability Support coordinator will share how they developed a training program for faculty and staff and will provide guidance for some of the most frequently asked questions about accessibility:
- What are the laws or guidelines?
- What are the requirements for instructional materials?
Attendees will receive step-by step instructions to check existing materials for accessibility issues and create new materials that are ADA compliant.
