How to Embed Library Resources in Blackboard

What does online accessibility mean?

Online accessibility (also referred to as web accessibility) consists of developing, providing, and ensuring inclusive web content without barriers for persons with physical disabilities, situational disabilities, or bandwidth speed restrictions due to perhaps socioeconomic. Bandwidth restrictions can also represent a barrier for socio-geographical reasons. Some of the components that ensure online accessibility are a website's layout (including colors), headings, ease of navigation, HTML content, javascript, alt text (for links, hyperlinks, and visual media), and structure.

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design (UD) refers to the composition of an environment that can be accessed, understood, and used by everyone regardless of their age, physical abilities, or conditions. The premise of UD goes in-hand with online accessibility. Its aim is to ensure accessibility and usability. UD is guided by seven principles:

1. Equitable use
2. Flexibility in use
3. Simple and intuitive
4. Perceptible information
5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space approach

When applied to learning, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that aims to improve and optimize teaching and learning for everyone. Similar to online accessibility, UDL strategies seek to remove barriers in instruction to ensure that students can achieve learning. This takes careful planning by educators to ensure that all students' needs are met and that no one lags due to the instructional design of a course. UDL is based on three principles:

• Representation, which means providing information in more than one format. This includes text, audio, video, and hands-on learning opportunities.
• Action and expression are met by providing the learner with more than one way to interact with the material. It also fosters the ability to allow the student to show what they have learned in multiple ways.
• Engagement seeks to ensure that students will be motivated in multiple ways. This can be done by providing different assignments that are pertinent to the students' interests and experiences.

Importance of providing online accessible content for students?

NECC like most higher education institutions has a diverse student population, which includes students with physical disabilities and learning disabilities. Because of this, educators should seek ways to meet the needs of the student population to ensure equitable learning opportunities. Providing inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for students guarantees their learning achievement.  It is also important to keep in mind that it also complies with ADA (i.e. §504 and 508), guidelines for online learning spaces. NECC is committed to ensuring that students can have their needs met through the Learning Accommodations Services, and by complying with ADA's responsibilities as a public community college. 

For more information visit, ADA Standards for Accessible Design.