[Athen] verification that a course is accessible

[Jennifer Sutton]

ATHENites:


Slight topic shift:

Given recent activity with revising Section 508:

https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh


I'd really recommend folks focus on WCAG 2.0 AA, rather than the old 
Section 508, referenced below, in terms of updating current online 
content or rolling out new. Yes, at least as I understand it, it won't 
take effect until January of next year, so as I see it, it'll be best 
for academic institutions to be preparing, as needed, for that, starting 
now.


I'm not even going to get into whether academic institutions need to 
comply with 508; it varies widely, depends on funding *within* an 
institution (sometimes), and I expect you folks know who you are.


There are many many so-called checklists out there. Obviously, it's 
important to be sure the one(s) you choose are up-to-date; I'm sure 
WebAIM will update their 508 checklist as they're able. At the moment, I 
don't see a "last updated" date on it.


In the meantime, I believe this set of references has recently been 
updated. Here's a post from IBM:

http://ageandability.com/2016/09/19/ibm-updates-accessibility-checklists-in-preparation-for-section-508-refresh/



Back to online courses ... I'd think that for faculty, using online 
platforms, a "checklist" tailored to how to improve accessibility 
*specifically* (step-by-step, with videos and/or screen shots, perhaps) 
on that platform would be something that'd be more appealing to faculty 
members. If they're going to do it, at least in my experience, they need 
accessibility to be as easy and quick for them to implement as possible.


Good luck to all.

Best,

Jennifer



On 3/14/2017 12:01 PM, Joshua Hori wrote:

> Hello Krista!

>

> We're finally piloting Ally for Canvas in the UC system due to this reason. The quarterly accessibility reports are nice, but need to test out their "EVERYTHING IS AUTOMAGICALLY ACCESSIBLE" claims.

>

> But if they REALLY want a checklist...

>

> http://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist

> http://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist

>

> There are no accessibility badges that I'm aware of.

>

> Best,

>

> Joshua

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Krista Greear

> Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 9:00 AM

> To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> Subject: [Athen] verification that a course is accessible

>

> In one of my recent presentations to academic groups, instructors were curious if there's anyway system for identifying if a course has been reviewed/remediated to be made accessible? Like a sticker, certification or badge? I didn't know so I thought I'd ask.

>

> Granted though, I think this is a "checklist" way to approach accessibility, which many of us don't buy into. Classes are organic, content can change on a dime, and instructors need to continually ask the question, "is this accessible?" Indicating that a course was accessible in a specific snapshot of time, does not mean it will stay accessible.

>

> How do others address this?

>

> KRISTA GREEAR

> Assistant Director

> Disability Resources for Students

>

> 011 Mary Gates Hall

> Box 352808

> Seattle, WA 98195-2808

> Direct: 206.221.4136 / Main: 206.543.8924 greeark at uw.edu/ http://disability.uw.edu

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list