Accessible Syllabus TemplateThe accessible syllabus template provides an outline for structuring course syllabi at KCC. This document contains the required statements with optional statements (Service Learning, modality). This guide also contains information on the necessary components needed for an accessible document should you choose to convert existing syllabi.

Beginning Fall 2018, all KCC courses will have a Moodle course shell created to contain the course syllabus. Please feel free to use the template or the conversion documentation.

Creating an accessible Word documentThere are several aspects to creating an accessible document using Word – use of styles, image text, proper formatting, descriptive links and more. Word also has a built-in Accessibility Checker which can evaluate your document and indicate any needed revisions.

Accessibility CheckerThe Accessibility Checker is a free tool built in to Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) products. This tool will scan a document, list potential errors, and provide solutions for resolution. The tool classifies results into three categories:

Error: Content exists in a structure that will be difficult or impossible for those with disabilities to access, consume, or use.

Warning: Content exists in a structure that may be difficult for those with disabilities to access, consume, or use.

Tip: Alternate ways content can be structure for more effective access, consumption, or use

Using the Accessibility CheckerTo use the tool:

1. Within any Office product, click on the File tab.2. Under Inspect Document, click Check for Issues.3. Select Check Accessibility.

4. Use the Accessibility Checker Inspection Results to determine what areas need to be revised.

Styles (Headings)In Word, a style is a collection formatting characteristics and instructions that are applied to paragraphs or sections of text. Styles allow great efficiencies when revising or editing text documents. Additionally, the style name indicates to someone using assistive technology (e.g., screen reader) the organization and hierarchy of the information. For example, a style named "Title" indicates the overall theme; a style named "Heading 1" indicates an important topic, "Heading 2" would indicate a subset of Heading 1, etc.)

Built-in stylesThere are many styles already created and ready to use. These styles are visible from the Home ribbon under Styles.

To use a style:

1. Select or click within text in the document.

2. Click on the Style name to apply the style.

If a style has already been applied, the style name will be highlighted in the style list when the text is selected or if the cursor is within the text.

Styles may be modified but please do not modify the default style name – this can cause confusion for someone using assistive technology. You may also add additional styles. Please carefully consider the style name to maintain some consistency throughout the document for those utilizing assistive technologies.

Modifying stylesOne of the easiest ways to modify an existing style is to select your text and add the desired style attributes (font, bold, italic, spacing, alignment, etc.). Once the text is styled, locate the desired name in the Styles list and right click, choosing "Update [style name] to match selection". This process will update the named style with the new attributes. Any text connected to this style will be updated with the new attributes.

Images and Smart ArtUsing images in Word can enhance the layout, help explain concepts, or provide additional information. Whatever the purpose, there are considerations for accessibility. Assistive technologies cannot interpret and/or explain what is in the image. All images must have Alternative Text (Alt text) to assist those using assistive technologies understand what role the image(s) play in supporting the text.

To add alternative text to an image:

1. Right click (or Control click – Mac) on the image and choose "Format Picture" to access the image formatting controls.

2. Click on "Layout and Properties"

3. Click "Alt Text" to reveal the sub menu.

Right click on the image to access the Format Pictyure drop down menu.

4. Enter the image's "Title" and "Description". NOTE: If the image is purely decorative, then enter "" (two quotation marks) or enter a blank space. While there is no way to 'silence' a decorative image.

If an image is complex and/or the content of the image is integral to the text (e.g., a data chart, graph, or technical illustration), use the "Description" area of the ALT TEXT entry to be as descriptive as possible.

Different screen readers handle graphics differently. For example, if a graphic is not set to 'inline', the screen reader may ignore the ALT TEXT.

NOTE: To set a graphic to 'inline', right click and choose the Wrap Text option, setting it to 'In line with text'. This adds the image to the text flow and allows the screen reader to access the ALT TEXT.

Shapes and ChartsIn general, avoid using text in images as the sole means of conveying information. If an image with text is needed and used, repeat the text within the document. Using the ALT TEXT description box, briefly describe the image along with a reference to the supporting text.

NOTE: To set a graphic to 'inline', right click and choose the Wrap Text option, setting it to 'In line with text'. This adds the image to the text flow and allows the screen reader to access the ALT TEXT.

ListsWhen creating a list of items, make sure to use the bullet (unordered) or number (ordered) paragraph option (rather than manually typing a number or a bullet.

LinksAdding descriptive links to text is much more effective than "Click here" and listing out the long hyperlink which a screen reader will then read. Using descriptive text such as "Watch the TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson regarding creativity within education." In this example, the text "TED talk by…" has been hyperlinked to the YouTube video. A screen reader will read through the text and allow the user to access the underlying hyperlink without needing to interpret the URL to determine what the video might be about.

NOTE: If the URL displays an accurate and clear destination, you may use that as text. If the link is not clear, hyperlink descriptive text.

ScreenTipsScreenTips may be added to hyperlinked text to provide additional information. The screenTip information appears in a pop-up above the hyperlink when the mouse hovers over the text.

To Create a Hyperlink and ScreenTip:

1. Select the text description.

2. Right-click on the highlighted text.

3. Select “Hyperlink” from the resulting drop down menu.

4. Make sure “Existing File or Web Page” is selected if linking to an external site.

5. Enter the URL in the “Address:” dialog box.

6. Enter a screenTip in the “Text to display” dialog box and click “OK”.

Tables Table headers Blank cells Nested tables Reading order

Color Color choices Contrast

Forms

Math and Science

Heading 1

Body text

Body text 2

ReferencesAccessibility for Online Course Contenthttps://blogs.wright.edu/learn/accessibility/word/images-in-microsoft-word/

Capilano University. (n.d.). Keeping web accessibility in mind: Three real-life examples of the need for accessibility. Retrieved from https://moodle.capilanou.ca/course/view.php?id=12755#section-6

Dent, C. (June 7, 2017). We test out a new accessibility MOOC: Inclusive online course design. Retrieved from https://moodle.com/community/accessibility-mooc/

Elearninginfographics.com (May 4, 2018). Accessibility in education infographic. Retrieved from https://elearninginfographics.com/accessibility-in-education-infographic/

Gramp, J. (October 9, 2017). Archive for the 'Accessible Moodle project' category. Sneak a peak at the new (more accessible UCL Moodle theme [blog post]. http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/digital-education/category/accessibility/accessible-moodle-project/

Lynda.com. (2018). Accessibility training and tutorials. Retrieved from https://www.lynda.com/Accessibility-training-tutorials/1286-0.html

MoodleNews https://www.moodlenews.com/2017/see-this-nifty-edtech-accessibility-infographic-on-behalf-of-those-who-cannot/

Steeves, K. (January 30, 2015). Moodle training: Getting started with online course design – preparing for online [blog post]. Retrieved from https://blogs.lanecc.edu/moodle/tag/usability-and-accessibility/

Tissot, L., & Tobin, T. (May 3, 2018). Universal design for learning is about access. Retrieved from https://elearnmagazine.com/universal-design-learning-access/

Tobin, T. (November 3, 2017). 20171031 Guilford College – how to talk to faculty members about UDL [video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6CEYfYbeYI8

University of Minnesota. (2018). Moodle: Make your Moodle site accessible. Retrieved from https://accessibility.umn.edu/instructors/moodle

University of Montana. (n.d.). Electronic accessibility: Faculty course preparation guide. Retrieved from http://www.umt.edu/accessibility/getstarted/faculty.php