[Athen] Inclusive bytes: four experiences of embedding accessibility and inclusivity in Higher Education - International Ally User Group – 23 May 2024

[Matthew Deeprose via athen-list]

[With apologies for cross-posting]

In May’s meeting of the International Ally User Group, we will focus on aspects of accessibility and inclusive learning design with four ten-minute talks, followed by a panel question and answer session.

Join us for "Inclusive Bytes: four experiences of embedding accessibility and inclusivity in Higher Education"! Delve into contemporary approaches to embedding digital accessibility and inclusive design principles in university settings. Dr Sarah Fielding from the University of Southampton shares insights into their transformative journey towards the "Blackboard Universal Standards." Tracy Galvin and Jen McParland from Ulster University introduce "Accessibility THRIVES," a mnemonic for accessible content creation, while Robert Farmer showcases University of Northampton's award-winning mobile-friendly Ultra course. Plus, uncover the curious case of Freddie Meowcury with Rachelle Emily Rawlinson from Durham University. 

Join us in the International Ally User Group on Thursday 23 May 2024 at 07:00 PDT / 10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST / 17:00 TRT / 18:00 GST.

# Session synopses

## A baseline for inclusion?
Dr Sarah Fielding, Team Manager: Digital Learning, University of Southampton
‘The University of Southampton (UoS) has embarked on a three-year strategic project to migrate from Blackboard Original to Ultra. 
This major change project is not a “lift and shift” of content, but a rethink of our approach to the student experience. 
I’m going to take you through our journey towards developing the UoS "Blackboard Universal Standards" and how we hope they will form a baseline for inclusive practice’.

## Accessibility THRIVES: Developing an acronym to raise awareness of key accessibility practices for digital content creation
Tracy Galvin - Lecturer in Higher Education Practice and Jen McParland - Lecturer in Higher Education Practice, Ulster University
‘The creators of the "Accessibility THRIVES" acronym will discuss why they designed it as a mnemonic to support university staff in designing accessible digital content. 
They will also highlight how the acronym complemented a toolkit they co-designed to promote inclusive and accessible teaching and learning ‘by design’, underpinned by Universal Design for Learning principles. 
Finally, they will highlight how their decision to release it as an Open Educational Resource (OER) influenced other institutions to reuse and remix it for their own audiences’.

## Developing accessible, inclusive, mobile-friendly Ultra courses
Robert Farmer, Learning Technology Manager, University of Northampton
“Developing accessible, inclusive, mobile-friendly Ultra courses - As part of UON’s move to Ultra courses, the University’s Learning Technology Team were keen answer the question ‘What does a good Ultra course look like?’ by creating an exemplar Ultra course for our staff. 
During this session, we’ll take you through our course, which won an Anthology Exemplary Course Award in 2023, outlining the ways we tried to make it accessible, inclusive, and mobile-friendly”.
Attendees will be given access to an export of the exemplar course.

## The curious case of Freddie Meowcury
Rachelle Emily Rawlinson, Senior Learning Designer, Durham University
“How does Universal Design for Learning, a pesky feline and a clutter of first year students lead to a more inclusive and playful experience of transitioning into university? 
This presentation will reveal the answer.
Come along and find out more about Freddie, the pesky feline and chief trouble causer responsible for higher engagement in the Transition to Higher Education course at Durham University”.

While this month’s meeting will touch on both Ally and Blackboard Ultra, the principles will be applicable whichever learning management system you use at your institution.

Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site: https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=62460

Hope to see you on Thursday 23 May 2024.

Matthew Deeprose