Creating accessible content
The issue of creating accessible content can seem extremely daunting. There seem to be so many scenarios which need accommodating and the list of standards and guidelines is extensive. However, there are some useful pieces of advice which help to put these into an educational context and break them down into a more meaningful set of guidance notes:
We have put together a these resources for staff writing and designing content for the Virtual Learning Environment. It not only has accessibility, but also usability in mind. The aim is to "provide for diversity through design rather than accommodation" (Horton, 2006, p xvi). The core tips are as follows:
- Make materials clear, concise and consistent.
- Use an appropriate sans serif font and font style in all documents to improve readability.
- Use colour appropriately – do not use colour alone to convey information and be aware of the impact on those with visual impairments.
- Consider image use – ensure images are clearly described and compress to reduce file size where possible.
- Any tables must be clearly labelled – use table summaries in HTML to provide descriptions of content.
- Symbols should be large, clearly labelled and be able to be resized by the reader.
- Use descriptive text for hyperlinks – avoid click here at all costs!
- Check PowerPoint documents can be read by a Screen-reader and consider readability.
- Make documents available in multiple, alternate formats for example, making PowerPoint presentations available in Word and PDF with the accessibility options turned on.
- Printed material – increase readability by using cream coloured paper instead of white and avoid glossy paper.
Above all, always consider the reason you are creating any piece of teaching material. Ask yourself what its purpose is in its present form and how you can accommodate this in an accessible format for your students.
Further resources
Accessibility Essentials , JISC, TechDis
This is a superb reference resource which covers issues such as increasing readability and accessibility for pdf files, and creating accessible Microsoft Word documents and presentations.
Making your Teaching Inclusive , Open University
This is an excellent resource from the Open University covering the background and issues surrounding making your teaching inclusive.
Online Learning Project , DEMOS Project
The project raises disability awareness for academic staff in Higher Education covering issues such as legislation, specific conditions and student assessment.
Quick Tips to Make Accessible Websites , Web Accessibility Initiative, W3C
Teachability , University of Strathclyde
This website provides guidance on all aspects of curriculum and content creation for students with disabilities.
