Accessibility

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility is a measure of how well any person can access, engage with, and benefit from the learning materials and activities found in a course. Many of the same design practices used to accommodate students with disabilities have been shown to optimize learning for all students—particularly those with language differences, less familiarity with technology, or limited access to the Internet.

Standards at a Glance

The following resources provide a valuable starting point for understanding digital accessibility and offer a glimpse into the dynamic and continually evolving conversations surrounding an inclusive web:

• Introduction to Web Accessibility
• W3C at a Glance

Why is Accessibility Important?

1. Under current federal law, educational institutions, including those in higher education, must ensure that their courses are fully accessible to all students. It’s the law! 
2. To align with Adelphi’s vision of creating a community which includes the core value of Respect of the Individual, our course design must emphasize Accessibility to ensure that all students can succeed. 
3. Students who require accessible materials are not the only ones who benefit; accessibility creates a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to be both engaged and successful.
4. Individuals who have encountered education that is accessible and inclusive are more equipped to excel in a workforce that values inclusivity.
5. Diverse perspectives and experiences contribute to innovative thinking. Promoting and sustaining accessible courses encourages a diverse student body and fosters creativity and innovation.

How Can We Incorporate Accessibility into Our Courses So That ALL Students Succeed?

As referenced by points 3 and 4 in Why is Accessibility Important?, accessible education creates a universally beneficial learning environment. While simultaneously speaking to the diverse needs of Adelphi’s learners, accessibility measures can bring a ripple effect of broader positive outcomes throughout the entire student body. Well-structured, easy-to-access materials, along with alternative multimodal representations, enhances understanding for all and opens the digital door to world-class learning.

Starting Off With Accessibility

Though non-exhaustive, the checklist below is a great place to begin when ensuring your materials are accessible to all students:

• Use ordered/unordered Lists (bullets)
• Make descriptive and ‘clickable’ links
• Create Alt Text for images
• Check for proper contrast and color usage
• Utilize heading tags
• Use captions in your Panopto videos