Accessibility

Watch the Accessibility video (2 mins) below to see the baseline standards in practice.

Baseline Practices

1. Documents are authored using built-in accessibility checkers (eg, Microsoft Accessibility Checker). 
2. All accessibility issues spotted by Ally (Blackboard’s accessibility tool) are fixed. 
3. Groups and release conditions are used where appropriate so that students see only the content relevant to them.

Colour, text formatting and language

4. Text is displayed using a consistent sans-serif font (eg Open Sans, which is the default font in Blackboard).
5. Fonts are minimum 12 pts large.
6. The colour contrast of all text and non-decorative graphics is sufficient (see Contrast Checker).
7. Colour is not the sole method of conveying important information.
8. Title, heading and sub-heading text styles are used in the text editor to structure documents (see Content Editor).
9. Boldface is used for text emphasis, rather than other styles, and only on key words, not sentences.
10. All information and instructions are written using clear, direct, and simple language.
11. Sentences are short and longer paragraphs are divided into smaller sections.  

Videos, images and links

12. Where video and audio are used, a transcript, captions or text alternative is provided (Re/Play recordings are automatically captioned, see Manage Captions in Re/Play videos).
13. The automatic captions for Re/Play videos are checked for accuracy.
14. All images (including the course banner) have alternative text that conveys their meaning or, if they don’t provide additional information, are marked as decorative.
15. Hyperlink text describes its contents or destination (rather than ‘Click here’, ‘Link’ or ‘Document’).

Files

16. File names are descriptive and readable (eg “Week 1 Slides - Social Psychology”).
17. Course materials use widely accepted formats to ensure usability and compatibility with various devices and assistive technologies (eg, DOCX, PPTX).
18. Files can be both downloaded and viewed in the browser (this is the default option for all files uploaded to Blackboard).

Beyond the Baseline

• All learning materials for the unit are available on Blackboard from the start of the unit, so that students can review them at their own pace.
• Students are shown how to turn on captions, download transcripts and use the search function in Re/Play.
• Materials use a variety of formats for conveying and representing information, concepts and theories (eg, illustration, diagram, model, video, storyboard, animation) (see the Universal Design for Learning guidelines). 
• Video content is recorded in 15–20 minute sections. Alternatively, chapters are used to break down longer videos.
• Students are shown how to use alternative formats in Blackboard or are pointed to the Alternative Formats video.
• Staff encourage students to review the ‘Help for Students’ section and show them where to find it (within ‘Unit Information and Resources’).
• All resources (including uploaded or linked materials) are checked using a screen reader (eg, NVDA).
• The course materials are checked using keyboard navigation (see Keyboard Accessibility).
• Staff Blackboard profiles include their pronouns and name pronunciation.
• The audio-only format of Re/Play recordings is enabled so that students can download them as podcasts.