Tools
In this introduction video Elinor J. Olaussen, Senior Adviser from Universell, Norway presents from the UDeL perspective the practical use, tools and resources of UDL.
Intro 3 to Inclusive learning and UDeL.mp4Websites
From 2021, all public sector websites will need to be in compliance with the new European accessibility directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102). The directive exists to ensure that all public sector organizations websites and apps are accessible, using existing accessibility standards.
Responsibilities
Make the website and mobile app content accessible to everyone (WCAG 2.1)
Provide a public accessibility statement
Provide a feedback mechanism for users to report inaccessible content
Provide a link to the enforcement procedure
WCAG 2.1 Basic principle is that it represents quality for all users, but also meets different challenges from sensory, motoric and cognitive disabilities.
Universal design of videos and webinars
The terms “captions” and “subtitles” are used for the same thing but have in some contexts different meaning:
Captions for the same language as the spoken audio.
Subtitles for spoken audio translated into another language. Subtitling in your own language has an “editorial” touch.
Closed captions (CC) are captions which can be turned on and off
CC is more accurate – «word by word», which open up for automatic delivery through different services
Audio description describes visual information needed to understand the content. (For example, “Pat opens a jewelry box, looks at a diamond engagement ring, and cries”.) Description is usually narration added to the soundtrack, or integrated into the speech.
There are some examples for tools and apps features. YouTube can use speech-recognition technology to automatically create captions for your videos. These automatic captions are generated by machine-learning algorithms, so the quality of the captions may vary. Easy to add text layers in youtube videos. Screencast-o-matic offers tools for screencasting – with possibility for automatic captions. Some other tools which include these features are GoogleVoice-to-text, Apple voice-to-text, Adobe products and Microsoft 365 Powerpoint. Some programs offer live captioning, for example powerpoint, zoom and teams. Powerpoint includes captioning of pre-recorded videos and screen recording.
Zoom and Teams are quite accessible, all features are manageable by screen reader tools, shortcut keys (including use of emojis etc.). True UD depends on awareness of accessibility features, like captioning, meeting culture (visual and auditive noise) and how to correctly share content.
Documents and files
Documents have to be accessible when uploaded in an e-learning platform, app or on a website. Use stylesheets, text is always text and use accessibility checkers. Use table tools, make tables as easy as possible, don’t use tables as layout elements, if you do – do not mark up any table data, beware of contrast and use of colour, for bigger and complex tables, use alternative text. Colour differences are only of importance if used for navigation and understanding, contrast is more important, use app: «Colour Contrast Analyser». Download from Paciello group, useful for documents and websites, WCAG compliant for different text size and different contrast, https://developer.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrastanalyser/
Headline hierarchy, define headline levels, use styles you like.
Hierarchy is important in headlines <h1>….<h4>, keep it simple.
Use meaningful file names, avoid long names, control for name/ title in PDF. Sans-serif must be used for internet reading, no documentation that sans-serif is better for document reading (printout).
Alternative text, all graphical elements – where it is a pedagogical purpose for understanding – must have an alternative text. If just a decoration, mark-up as a decoration.
Use of accessibility tools, All MS Office products and Adobe products bring along a accessibility toolkit. Go to: Information → Control document → Check accessibility.
Accessibility features in PPT, some important points:
Use stylesheets
Avoid long paragraphs (except quotes)
No more than 8 bullet points
Check contrast and text elements
NO writing on graphical elements
AVOID text-boxes
Use alternative text
Use accessibility tools
PDF of a PPT might work very well
Be aware of:
Most repairs can easily be fixed in Acrobat pro
Tables need special attention in other MS Products
Important features:
Document
Page Content
Alternative text
Tables
Title
List
Headings
Contrast and reading order must be checked manually
Immersive reader
Use Learning Tools / Immersive Reader to get help with reading the theory part of your thesis. You can utilize the tool via Microsoft Word 365. The tool offers a different way to read a document with tricks to help you improve your reading skills.(32) You can change the interface of the Immersive Reader suitable to you. Change the background colour to make it easier to see the letters and enhance its visual effect. Break down words into syllables and highlight part of the speech, use the narration feature to hear the text aloud and see the words highlighted to follow along.
Dictate
Use Dictate tool in Word to enhance your thesis work. Get your thoughts out, create drafts or outlines, and capture notes by converting your speech to text. Speech-to-text to author content throughout your thesis work.
Dictate words, punctuation, and specific actions. You may want to dictate just a few sentences or a single paragraph at a time and then stop so you can review your text for any mistakes.
Read Out Loud in Adobe Acrobat Reader
Most of the thesis theory materials are in the PDF format. You can utilize the Read Out Loud text-to-speech feature to read the text for you. This way you will get the possibility to for example combine other activities and learn at the same time.
How to use tools in practise?
"Make repetition possible: Screen recording: Office Mix/ Screencast-o-matic (offers tools for screencasting);
Check for understanding and activate students: Padlet/ Mentimeter/ Kahoot/ Top Hat”(33)
Assistive tools in thesis work(34): Examples of assistive technology tools (Microsoft Learning Tools):
advanced reading program to read aloud text and to strengthen reading comprehension;
dictation of content to word document;
dictate a text/ to write clean;
translating text to different language
In this video Kjetil Knarlag, Head of Universell, Norway tells from an interactive ‘Do it yourself’ -perspective about universal design of ICT. The video concentrates on and presents especially how to make accessible documents and videos.
Accessible documents and videos 2020-09-08.mp4