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Accommodations

Students can begin and continue using accommodations for remote classes. Visit your  to view current student information. Students are strongly encouraged to connect with you to discuss accommodations. We also recommend sending a brief email that invites them to engage in the conversation.

Accessibility Best Practices

Implementing accessibility best practices into remote courses ensures students with disabilities have an opportunity to fully participate in learning. It also creates opportunities for deeper learning among all students. There may be different accessibility considerations for remote learning. Follow these tips to get started:

• Use university supported applications to deliver remote courses. Canvas, Cisco Webex, Google Apps for Education, Microsoft Office and Qualtrics are examples of university supported applications. There are accessibility practices and solutions specifically for these products. When you use non university supported applications you may choose an inaccessible product and students can become overwhelmed by having to learn a wide range of different applications at once. Consistency across classes and disciplines supports learning. 
• Post accessible documents. Course documents should be created digitally and images should include alt text. Scanned document images and photos of handwritten notes are not accessible to assistive technology such as screen readers or text to speech software. Canvas pages, Word documents, tagged .pdfs and some online articles are fairly accessible formats to use. Use the AccessMU CARES tool to convert a document into formats that are easier to work with. Follow the AccessMU Document Accessibility Guidelines and use the  when creating content. 
• Use universal design principles when presenting. Post presentation materials in advance on Canvas. This allows students to use their assistive technology to access content. Implement multiple means of representations to give students more ways to digest content. Verbally describe visual content (e.g. images, charts) displayed on screen and include written descriptions too.
• Use captioned media and provide transcripts for audio. Adopt media with closed captions, caption self created content and post transcripts for audio and podcasts. This benefits students with hearing disabilities and others. Live captioning is a good learning support but is not accessible for Deaf & Hard of Hearing people. Consult with SDS if you have a student with a captioning accommodation. 
• Prioritize effective communication. Check in with all students to make them aware of required web applications for remote learning and group collaboration. Sending a brief email to students using accommodations is helpful to engage them in the interactive process and confirm they are not encountering access barriers. Send these emails individually to ensure confidentiality.
• Maintain learning goals, but build in flexibility. You should always maintain learning objectives and essential course requirements. In some instances, flexibility may be necessary to support students. Variations in internet connectivity, home environments, technology access and stress response during crisis may impact student engagement. Implement Universal Design for Learning to meet the broad range of student needs. If you are concerned about a student’s well being submit the .
• Ask for help and be kind to yourself. Visit the AccessMU Training Page to learn how to create accessible content or contact them at AccessMU@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu to request consultation. If you have questions about a specific student using accommodations contact Oxford: SDS@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu or 513-529-1541, Hamilton: muhods@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu or 513-785-3211, Middletown: mumdc@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu or 513-727-3431. We are here to help you and implementing accessibility is an ongoing process that exists on a continuum.

Offering remote programming and special events is a great way to ensure continuity of engagement in campus life. It is important to ensure students with disabilities can fully participate. Implementing accessibility best practices also improves the overall program experience. Follow these tips to get started:

• Schedule a consultation with SDS and the AccessMU Center. When planning your event it can be helpful to consult and brainstorm how accessibility will be embedded into the program. Our team regularly meets with campus partners to provide guidance and identify accessibility solutions. 
• Choose a university supported application to deliver your program. Canvas and Cisco Webex are examples of university supported applications. There are accessibility practices and solutions specifically for these products. When you use non university supported applications you may choose an inaccessible product and prevent someone from fully participating. We recommend using the Webex Accessibility Best Practices when planning your event. 
• Include an accessibility statement in communications and registration forms. An accessibility statement gives attendees an opportunity to request accommodations in advance of the need for them. This gives you time to coordinate the request in partnership with our team. 
  • Sample Accessibility Statement: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable event experience. If you need disability related accommodations  (e.g. interpreter, captioning, materials in an accessible format) to facilitate full participation please contact the Miller Center by phone at 513-529-1541, Ohio Relay 711 or SDS@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu at least three business days prior to the event.
• Develop accessibility guidelines for presenters. In many cases, presenters may submit content to be included in the event. They should be creative while also following best practices that allow all participants to enjoy the content. Having set guidelines streamlines the process of collecting content and minimizes the need for remediation. It is helpful to provide accessibility guidelines with basic tips and standards that presenters should follow.