Accessibility 101
Read: The article, Accessibility vs Accommodation, from the University of Minnesota’s Accessible U website discusses the difference between accommodating someone and creating an accessible experience. The site also includes articles about adaptive technologies, the impact of non-accessible digital materials on people with disabilities, and the benefits of accessible design. It is part of the University’s effort to cultivate inclusion in all digital spaces.
Watch: Inclusive Design 24 is a collection of videos on inclusive design that shares knowledge and ideas from analog to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between.
Listen: This article, 8 Disability Podcasts that are Well Worth a Listen (which you can also listen to), rounds up 8 podcasts focused on different accessibility issues. All are hosted and developed by people with disabilities.
Learn: Accessibility Fundamentals, a free 4-part online course (2.5 hours) offered by Microsoft, introduces learners to accessibility and inclusion, the tools they offer, and how to create accessible content for mobile apps and the internet.
Learn: Digital Accessibility Foundations, a free online course (four to five hours per week for four weeks) from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Access Initiative (WAI) is useful for technical and non-technical learners, including anyone designing or developing websites or supplying content.
Learn: Introduction to Web Accessibility provides a strong foundation in digital accessibility to make your websites and apps work well for people with disabilities, meet international standards, and provide a better user experience for everyone.
Accessible online programming
Read: How you can make your presentation accessible is written from the perspective of in-person presentations, but the majority of the suggestions apply to virtual settings.
Read: Designing for Neurodiverse Learners for tips on designing learning experiences for neurodiverse learners.
Read: Designing for people with dyscalculia and low numeracy has tips for how to design documents and presentations for people who struggle to read, understand and work with numbers.
Read: Trigger Warnings discusses the use of trigger warnings in educational settings. It is focused on formal education but has applicability in informal education.
Watch: The podcast episode, I have Questions about Accessibility: Episode 2 – Accessibility in L&D, talks about the role of accessibility in Learning and Development. Other episodes of the podcast are Accessibility, but why tho? and Accessibility in Real Life.
Watch: Accessibility Testing Tools from DO-IT at the University of Washington demonstrates many accessibility testing tools.
Listen or read: The Podcasters Guide to Transcribing Audio has information on how to transcribe audio, what resources can be used to do this, and how to utilize style guides for consistency and ease of reading.
Programming involving two-way engagement
Read: 9 Ways to Make Your Online Video Meetings Accessible lists steps you can take to make your online video meetings inclusive.
Read: Accessibility tips for inclusive Microsoft Teams meetings and live events shares tips for organizers, presenters, and producers.
Learn: Accessible Technology Webinar Series is a monthly webinar from the University of Washington’s IT Accessible Technology Services. Archives of past webinars, including video and presentations, are available.
Virtual visits, tours, and digital collections
Read: Virtual Reality Accessibility: The Importance of Comfort Ratings and Reducing Motion explains the importance of being aware of motion as many people have conditions affected by motion. It includes tips to reduce motion.
Read: PhET Interactive Simulations – Accessibility provides free accessible science simulations created by the University of Colorado, Boulder. You can share links to relevant simulations to supplement your museum’s science demonstrations.
Watch or read: Top 6 Things to Ensure Your Virtual Reality App Is Accessible provides six tips for creating accessible virtual experiences.
