One Step at a Time
One does not simply answer the question "How can my online classroom be accessible?" At first, this seems like such an easy question, but in looking to find an answer, I have discovered that the answer can be extremely complicated. As an instructor, making the online classroom accessible can be a daunting task and a task many might rather hide from. I look at my own online class and see various places for improvement. The best way to tackle accessibility in our online classes is to incorporate a development plan that involves accessibility then take small steps toward creating an online environment that is accessible.
Developing the accessible classroom in the beginning is the best answer. But how do you create an accessible classroom when you don't exactly know about online accessibility? Did you know it takes about 6-9 months to adequately build a course online? Working with an instructional designer will help you implement accessibility in the creating stages. Just like constructing a building that is accessible to begin with is less time consuming and less expensive than retrofitting an old building, creating an online accessible class is less time consuming than revamping your existing class.
But what if your class is already online and you want to make changes for accessibility? The best way to make this transition is to complete one step at a time. Captioning videos and audio descriptions is a huge topic right now. Here are a few other small items that make your class more accessible:
- Add alternative text to your images in your course.
- Title your hyperlinks, instead of saying "Click here".
- Use the Style elements in Word.
- Don't use color for meaning. People with colorblindness can't interpret.
Adding a few of these things to just your syllabus can be a huge step in becoming compliant with online digital/media instructional material. Eventually, you will add them to your other material without even thinking. It’s not just about disabled users being able to access your website — it’s about everyone being able to access your website (Trenton Moss, Owner of Webcredible Consultancy Firm, UK).