This document outlines the need for mandatory web accessibility training for online faculty. It discusses how accessibility supports inclusion for people with disabilities and is recognized as a basic human right. Examples of accessibility include alternative text, navigation via keyboard, captions, and color choices that don't hinder users. The document recommends knowledge training in web accessibility be required and suggests using existing online training resources and creating a Desire2Learn course with assessments to provide this training.

1. Mandatory Web Accessibility Training
for Online Faculty
Barry Dahl,
Desire2Learn

2. Why: The Case for Web Accessibility
• It is essential that the Web be accessible
in order to provide equal access and equal
opportunity to people with diverse abilities.
Indeed, the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities recognizes
access to information and communications
technologies, including the Web, as a
basic human right.
www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

3. Who: The Case for Web Accessibility
Accessibility supports
social inclusion for
people with disabilities as
well as others, such
as older people, people
in rural areas, and people
in developing countries.
www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

4. What: Examples of Web Accessibility
• Some basic examples:
– Alternative text for images
– Full navigation via keyboard
– Transcripts for podcasts
– Captions for videos
– Color choices that help not hinder
www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

5. Example of alt-text in Desire2Learm
From UW-Milwaukee
http://uwmltc.org/?p=878

6. How: Making Online Ed Accessible
• None of this will happen in a vacuum.
• Professional development
opportunities are key to improving
accessibility in online education.
• Knowledge training in this field needs
to be MANDATORY!
www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility

7. Comparing Gravity to
Web Accessibility

8. Same with Accessibility

9. W3C – National Policies
http://www.w3.org/WAI/Policy/

10. Use existing training
resources.
Some examples

11. projectone.cannect.org/

12. webaim.org/resources/

13. www.w3.org/WAI/users/

14. www.catea.gatech.edu/grade/

15. www.doit.wisc.edu/outside-
cms/accessibility/online-course/index.htm

16. www.washington.edu/doit/
Resources/accessdl.html

17. Assessment of Training
• Create Desire2Learn course shell
• Enroll all online faculty and related staff
• Create one or more assessments
• Provide badges or certificates of
completion
• Monitor non-completors and send
reminders

18. Contact Info
• email: Barry.Dahl@Desire2Learn.com
• Twitter: @D2LBarry