Library MTI April 2011

Universal Design for Learning: Creating Accessible DocumentsMarch 5, 2013IntroductionsAllison KiddIT Coordinator UDL / Accessibility Trainer Shannon Lavey, MS, OTRService CoordinatorAssistive Technology Trainer Assistive Technology Resource CenterProvide Assistive Technology for students with disabilitiesProvide support for faculty and staff at CSU on accessibilityhttp://atrc.colostate.edu

OutlineCSUs Accessibility GuidelinesPrinciples of Universal Design for Learning2 Main Concepts for All DocumentsStructure Alternative TextHands-On: Word Documents Hands-On: PDF DocumentsCSUs Guidelines for Accessibility of Electronic and Information TechnologyAdopted by Faculty Council, Fall 2012CSU is committed to providing equal access to electronic information for all studentsUniversal Design for Learning provides a strategy for preparing materials that overcome barriers to learningUDL includes accessibility for students with disabilities, but goes beyond to benefit all learnersUniversal Design for LearningUniversal Design for Learning (UDL)is a set of principles for designing materials that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn.Source: http://www.cast.org/udl/index.html5Todays Students Are DiverseEthnicity & CultureNative languageNon-TraditionalGenderLearning StylesDisabilities Apparent Disabilities Non-ApparentVariety of Technologies Available

UDL: A Framework for Inclusive PedagogyInformation and concepts are represented in multiple ways and in a variety of formats.Students are given multiple ways to express their comprehension and mastery of a topic.Students engage with new ideas and information in multiple ways.Learning Styles: Involve the SensesVisualAuditoryKinesthetic

Combine for highest impact on learning!Universally Designed DocumentsSearch-abilitySelect-ability for Copy and PasteConsistent Structure / OrganizationBookmarks or an Interactive TOCText to Speech capabilityAccessibility for Screen Reading Software

Beyond AccessibilityUniversal Design FeaturesSearch-abilitySelect-ability for Copy and PasteConsistent Structure / OrganizationBookmarks or an Interactive TOCText to Speech capabilityAccessibility for Screen ReadersHow Can Students Benefit?English Language LearnersNon-Traditional StudentsLearning Styles

Disabilities Apparent Disabilities Non-ApparentAssistive Technology DemoRead & Write GoldDiverse Technology, Diverse FormatsStudents are using a wide variety of technologyOperating SystemsDevices tablets, phones, eReadersVersions of word processing softwareAssistive Technology hardware and softwareLet students pick the format that works best for them offer multiple formats.Start with WordConvert to Accessible PDFMake both files available to students

Creating UDL Documents:Two Main ConceptsDocument Structure

Alternative TextDocument StructureContent should be organized!Use built-in styles HeadingsListsEmphasisBe consistent with stylesTop level headings use the same style for eachWhy is Structure Important?Visually - It looks easier to readEasier to pick out important pointsStudents can take notes based on an obvious outline.Provides a Table of ContentsScreen-reading software uses structure to navigate the document more easily.Document Structure DemoJAWS Screen-reading SoftwareWhat is Alternate Text?Screen readers can only read textAny images must have a short text description addedAlt Text describes both the content or meaning of the image in its contextHow to Write Alt TextWhat is the function of this image?Context is Key

Alternative text for images should describe the meaning of the image in its context

Ice Cream ManufacturerGirl Scouts of AmericaMy Niece's BlogDiversity Website

Source: Jesse Hausler, The ACCESS ProjectHands-On: Word Documentshttp://accessproject.colostate.edu/presentations/udl/AHEAD/2010/jesse/index.cfm20Office 2010: Compatibility Mode OffDocuments with .doc will open in compatibility modeMore accessibility features are available in .docx formatTo turn compatibility mode off:save as .docx

Add Structure: Use Styles

Add Alt Text to ImagesRight-click on the image and select Format PictureSelect the Alt Text option at the bottomType the alt text in the Description box on the right *not in the Title field!

Add Header Row to Tables, Step 1Right-click on the top row of the table.

Click on Table Properties

Add Header Row to Tables, Step 2Select the Row tab.Check the box Repeat as header row at the top of each page

Microsofts Accessibility CheckerUse the Built-in Accessibility CheckerFile > Info > Check for Issues > Check Accessibility

Hands-On: PDF DocumentsScanned to PDFWord to PDFLets Look at Scanned PDFsThere are three types of PDFs resulting from a scanner:Scanned PDF saved as image onlyScanned PDF with Optical Character RecognitionScanned PDF with OCR and Tags addedPDF Scanned as Image

Scanned PDF ResultsAccessibilitySearch-AbilityCopy/PasteBookmarksText to SpeechScanned PDF

Scanned PDF with OCR

OCR and Tags

Good vs. bad PDF DemoRead & Write GoldMorgan Library Course ReservesLogin with eid to request PDF creationLibrary staff will do entire processFind the articleScan with OCRConvert existing scanned PDFPost online for your courseTurn-around time typically one dayhttps://reserve.colostate.edu

Word to PDF ConversionStart out with a Word DocumentMake the Word Doc accessible, then convert itUse Save As PDF Or use the Acrobat Toolbar

AccessibilitySearch-AbilityCopy/PasteBookmarksText to SpeechPrint to PDF

Save As PDF

Adobe PDF Plugin

Hands-On PDFBefore Conversion! Make sure Tagged PDF is enabled in Preferences under the Word PDF ToolbarThis makes the PDF accessible to screen readers!

In Adobe Acrobat X Open the Accessibility Toolbar

Click on TouchUp Reading Order

Touching Up the Reading OrderClick on Show Order PanelThe pane will show up at the leftDrag and drop items in the correct orderEmpty items or decorative images set as Background.

Further Resources:

CSUs Accessibility Websitehttp://www.accessibility.colostate.edu

CSUs Access Project Tutorialshttp://accessproject.colostate.edu/udl

Allison.Kidd@Colostate.Edu