AccessDL

The Center on Accessible Distance Learning (AccessDL) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education (grant # OPE P333A020044 and P333A50064) to share guidance and resources on making distance learning courses accessible to students and instructors with disabilities. It is directed by DO-IT. Listed below are directions for joining a discussion list as well as publications, videos, websites, resource centers, promising practices, and research.

Discussion List

• AccessDL Discussion List
  For issues related to creating accessible distance learning courses. This list fosters ongoing discussion about accessible design, policy, practice, training, and support. It is supported by DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) at the University of Washington. For more information about this list consult:
  http://mailman.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/AccessDL
• Equal Access: Universal Design of Distance Learning Programs
  A checklist to ensure access and promote the learning of all students.

Distance Learning Program Accessibility Indicators

• Ten Indicators of Distance Learning Program Accessibility
  An opportunity to apply and to provide ongoing feedback on indicators of an accessible distance learning program. 

Resources on Accessible Distance Learning

Overview Publications and Video Presentations

• Real Connections: Making Distance Learning Accessible to Everyone
  DO-IT video and publication with strategies for designing distance learning courses that are accessible to students with disabilities.
• World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design
  DO-IT video and publication on how to make web pages accessible to people with disabilities.
• A Survey of Online Instruction Issues and Strategies for Postsecondary Students with Learning Disabilities
  A 2002 article by Robin Cook and Marsha Gladhart in Information Technology and Disabilities Journal that explores strategies for overcoming accessibility obstacles such as websites with poor navigation, crowded hyperlinks, and flashing graphics.
• The Design of Accessible Distance Education Environments that use Collaborative Learning
  A 2002 article by Katarina Schenker and Lawrence Scadden in Information Technology and Disabilities Journal that discusses accessibility issues that arise when collaboration and dialogue are central to success in an online course.
• Information Technology and Disabilities Vol. VIII Number 1 (2002)
  A special issue that explores issues and strategies for overcoming accessibility obstacles.
• IMS Guidelines for Developing Accessible Learning Applications
  Overview and technical guidelines for the design of accessible online learning.
• Accessibility of Learning Management Systems
  Accessibility issues for students with disabilities. Check out the summary of some of these issues presented by project CANnect.
• How-To Guide for Creating Accessible Online Learning Content
  Guidelines for online learning design from CANnect.
• Access E-Learning
  An online tutorial comprised of 10 modules that share techniques for making distance learning accessible to participants with disabilities.
• Accessibility of eLearning
  The Open University's introduction to challenges and solutions regarding e-learning access for individuals with disabilities.
• Described and Captioned Medial Program: Guidelines for the design of captions and audio descriptions for videos.

Q&A's from DO-IT's Online Knowledge Base

• What are some of the barriers students with disabilities face in distance learning courses? 
• How can I get started in making my distance learning course accessible to all students? 
• What do distance learning professionals need to know about accessibility? 
• Are chat rooms accessible to people with disabilities? 
• Are electronic whiteboards accessible to people with disabilities? 
• How can I select a web accessibility software tool? 

Training

• EASI
  Interactive web conferences and instructor-led courses through EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information).
• GRADE
  Free, online tutorial that explains how to create accessible distance learning materials from the Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education.
• WebAIM
  An online course planning tool for creating your own web accessibility course from Web Accessibility in Mind.
• Web Accessibility 10
  Free, self-paced, online course focusing on web accessibility policy, standards, and design from the University of Wisconsin.

Resource Centers

• The Center for Universal Design in Education
  Resources to help educators apply universal design to all aspects of the educational experience, including technology, services, and instruction.
• The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE)
  Acenter that addresses issues of technology and disability in education policies and practices to enhance the lives of people with disabilities
• National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)
  A research and development facility dedicated to making media and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
• WebAIM
  Resources from the Web Accessibility in Mind project, including a streaming video introduction, links to online courses and articles, and a tutorial.
• Technology and Universal Design
  DO-IT's collection of videos, publications and web resources on the procurement, development and design of accessible technology.
• Accessible Technology at the UW
  Resource website on accessible technology hosted by the University of Washington.
• Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities
  A collaborative center engaged in researching the accessibility of online learning offerings, particularly at the precollege level.

Promising Practices

• Michigan Virtual University: A Promising Practice in Developing Standards for Online Courses
• PIVoT: A Promising Practice in Making an Online Physics Course Accessible 
• The University of Washington: A Promising Practice in Making Distance Learning Courses Accessible to Students with Disabilities 
• Distance Learning: A Case Study on the Accessibility of an Online Course 
• Steps Toward Making Distance Learning Accessible to Students and Instructors with Disabilities 
• Item Writer Guidelines for Greater Accessibility - Basics for Making Exam and Other Instructional Items that are Accessibile, in Particular to Individuals with Visual Impairments

Accessibility Documentation from Learning Management System (LMS) Vendors

Accessibility of LMS products is constantly evolving, but several vendors provide documentation regarding their products' accessibility features and how to deliver accessible courses using their products. Some examples are provided below. Also, Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN) has coordinated several active collaborations between higher education institutions and LMS vendors to help the latter improve their accessibility. These are listed on the ATHEN Collaboration Groups website.

• Blackboard
• Desire2Learn
• Moodle
• Sakai

Research

• Research on Web Accessibility in Higher Education
  A 2003 article by Terrill Thompson, Sheryl Burgstahler, and Dan Comden in Information Technology and Disabilities Journal, that explores the correlation between manual methods of evaluating website accessibility and evaluation by Bobby and evaluates the accessibility of key websites in selected post-secondary institutions.
• Online Distance Education - "Anytime, Anywhere" But Not For Everyone
  A 2001 article in Information Technology and Disabilities Journal by Axel Schmetzke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.