In case you missed it, earlier this month our Accessibility Coordinator Michelle Tuten delivered a demonstration on Microsoft Accessibility Checkers. Below is an overview of the workshop; view Michelle’s presentation for a more detailed understanding of the capabilities the accessibility checkers have.
Accessibility aims to better user learning experiences for everyone by first improving the user experience of people with disabilities. Accessibility aims to provide equal access in its design. Accessibility issues are roadblocks that keep people with disabilities from accessing information. For example, an image without alternative text is a roadblock for a blind user. Microsoft has a built-in accessibility checker tool that can help you correct these accessibility issues when they arise.
To access the Microsoft Accessibility Checker tool in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or OneNote on a Windows computer, click the “Review” tab and then click “Check Accessibility.” For Mac users locate the accessibility checker by navigating to the tools tab and clicking “Accessibility Checker.” The accessibility checker will appear as a tray or sidebar next to the content and the errors will be flagged and show up in that sidebar.
Microsoft provides the steps to fix accessibility mistakes that have been made. Making corrections is relatively simple. Some of the common accessibility issues that could appear in teaching materials are: missing object descriptions, hard to read text, missing headers, text color contrast, missing titles, or the reading order. For some errors such as issues with alternative text, Microsoft will offer AI tools to auto-generate an image description. Some of the flags will appear as warnings rather than errors meaning that there needs to be a manual check on the document. “Check Reading Order” is a common warning that Microsoft displays. This warning simply asks you to check the order in which a screen reader would read your content to someone who with an impairment. Microsoft also gives a “Why Fix” blurb that briefly describes why the content is reading as inaccessible.
These tools will help you understand and begin fixing the materials for proper accessibility requirements. Some accessibility issues will not be picked up by the checker. This is common for cases using color, math equations, tables, and headings. Manually check content in addition to using the accessibility checker as a supplementary tool.
Do you plan to teach this summer? Clemson Online is proud to announce this year’s Summer teaching initiative. We have timely opportunities for instructors to gain experience in online course creation, teaching with Canvas, and the Quality Matters course improvement process.
Join this training to learn more about creating your own interactive video in Kaltura! Whether you have a specific question or want Kaltura interactive videos demonstrated, this training opportunity is your time to work with one of our Kaltura admins. When registering, choose whether to have a specific topic covered, enter your question, or both.
Facilitated by our Learning Tech Team.
Registration: Quick Hits: Kaltura Interactive Videos.
Modality: Virtual and synchronous—an Outlook Calendar invite, with the Zoom link, will be sent.
Join this training to learn more about utilizing Canvas in your course! Whether you have a specific question or want a Canvas tool demonstrated, this training opportunity is your time to work with one of our Learning Technology Specialists. When registering, choose whether to have a specific topic covered, enter your question, or both.
Facilitated by our Learning Tech Team.
Registration: Quick Hits: Canvas Tools.
Modality: Virtual and synchronous—an Outlook Calendar invite, with the Zoom link, will be sent.
Review our Spring 2024 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, presentations on group assignments in online courses, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet
Use link text that will offer a description of what your audience is navigating to.
October was Accessibility month, and we enjoyed sharing information to help improve your general awareness and course content.
Did you know Zoom has great features for enabling captioning and sign language interpretation?
