Accessibility of eLearning Materials Policy

Policy area: learning, teaching and research applications.
This policy came into effect 11 February 2008 and incorporates all amendments to that date.

Governance
Accessibility of eLearning materials in the University is regulated by the following regulations and policies:

• NTU Disability Equality Scheme 2007
• NTU Learning, Teaching and Research Applications Policy
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001.

Definitions
Accessibility of eLearning materials encompasses a broad range of learning design points informed by the legislation and approaches listed below:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA)
• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
• Disability Equality Duty (DED)
• Universal Design – the system design approach where accessibility features are integrated. It aims to provide for diversity through design rather than accommodation.

Scope
This policy applies to the entire University. It recognises that active support that improves staff capability in the provision and creation of eLearning materials is needed to enable accessibility for all. It's what's needed to implement the legislation and best practice guidance,

Policy

1. The University aims to provide eLearning materials in an accessible format in accordance with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001, and with the Disability Equality Duty, which is an anticipatory duty to disabled people and people at large. It is not simply a duty to individuals.
2. The University aims to ensure that:
   1. eLearning web sites created at the University conform to the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at a minimum of priority level 1, and with the principles of universal design.
   2. Electronic eLearning materials (mainly presented via the web) created at NTU conform to the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at a minimum of priority level 1, and adhere to the principles of Universal Design.
3. Nottingham Trent University eLearning materials, which are available online, may link to other sites which might not currently conform to these standards and Nottingham Trent University has no responsibility for such sites.
4. Where materials cannot be provided in an accessible format, alternatives will be provided where possible.

Other supporting documents

• Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (which forms part of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995)
  
• Disability Discrimination Act, (2005), HMSO, ISBN 0 10 541105 1
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (published by the web accessibility initiative)
• Disability Equality Duty - December 2006 (Since December 2006 there has been a legal duty on all public sector organisations to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.)
• Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (Free information on the Disability Discrimination Act can be obtained by contacting the Disability Rights Commission helpline on 0845 762 2633 and minicom on 020 7211 4037.)
• Disability Equality Scheme.