Virtual Accessibility

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When providing virtual instruction, it is essential to consider the following strategies to ensure your lessons and activities are accessible for students; meaning, your students are able to use your materials. It is important to not forget about accessibility when instruction is virtual. Below is a table of the “POUR” model of ensuring accessibility in the classroom along with examples of implementation.

Definition Examples
Perceivable Students can see and hear your content ·      Alternative text describing each image (to be read by a screen reader)

·      Close caption videos or transcripts

·      Color contrast between text and color (specifically with slideshows)
Operable Students can interact with the content ·      Provide sufficient time for responses

·      Ensure everything is adequately described

·      Check for keyboard accessibility
Understandable Students can understand and navigate your content ·      Ensure you give clear instructions in multiple formats

·      Model for students how they should do something

·      Use plain language such as using active voice (not passive), short sentences and paragraphs, and common words
Robust Your content works and is compatible with technology ·      Perform an accessibility check

·      Test your content on a variety of platforms

·      Create descriptive titles to help students with screen readers quickly determine if they are on the correct document

 

For additional information visit http://aem.cast.org/creating/designing-for-accessibility-pour.html

Accessibility Resources:

http://aem.cast.org/creating/accessibility-perceivable.html

http://aem.cast.org/creating/accessibility-operable.html

http://aem.cast.org/creating/accessibility-understandable.html

http://aem.cast.org/creating/accessibility-robust.html