Digital Accessibility

0:01 > 0:35

Hello, my name is Alice Chapman and I am the Product Developer in the Learning Design team at Arden University. We are part of the Digital Learning Team and I work across different areas of the team to look at and think about ways we can improve the digital learning experience.

My specialist areas are inclusive design and digital accessibility.

In this short video for Arden's Diversity Festival, I'll be talking about what digital accessibility is and introducing you to the Digital Learning Team at Arden.

0:38 > 1:10

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility is about making digital content usable for as many people as possible.

This includes websites, virtual learning environments, mobile applications and everything that's held on them such as this video.

To help people meet these needs, there are laws and guidance in place.

At Arden, we look to follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines or WCAG 2 and Universal Design for Learning Principles.

1:17 > 1:54

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines or WCAG looks at 4 principle areas;

1. Perceivable. Can the user access the content according to their needs?

2. Operable. Can the user operate the interface in order to engage with the content?

3. Understandable. Can the user understand how to interact with the content

4. Robust. Can the user access the content using the digital tools that they need?

And for each principle area, there are three levels of conformance and testable success criteria which look at digital accessibility through a number of different areas.

2:09 > 2:50

Universal Design for Learning.

Universal Design for Learning, or UDL is an approach to teaching and learning that aims to improve learning for all.

It looks to create a curriculum that provides genuine learning opportunities for each and every person through flexible learning opportunities in design, noting that the best way of learning is not the same for everyone.

UDL looks at neuroscience and tells us that our brains have 3 broad networks which are broken down into three areas of learning in the UDL Framework;

·   Representation

·   Action and Expression

·   Engagement.

2:56 > 3:41

Digital Learning Team.

Arden's Digital Learning Team work closely with academics and subject matter experts to design brand new modules, maintain existing learning materials, and help our colleagues make accessible, appropriate and creative use of technology.

We are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in learning technology, multimedia design, project management and learning design.

One of the Digital Learning Team Core values is to create accessible, high quality digital learning experiences for our students.

And our focus for digital accessibility is on the WCAG and integrating elements of UDL.

By removing barriers in digital content, we are opening our provision up, being more inclusive and avoiding potential barriers to access for people that identify as disabled.

3:36 > 4:02

Thank you for watching this short video on digital accessibility in the Digital Learning Team.

Stay tuned with other areas of the Diversity Festival to learn more about equity, equality, diversity and inclusion at Arden University.