Zoom Accessibility Considerations

These are some tips and tricks to make your Zoom sessions as accessible as possible for all your students!

Visual Considerations:

• Make sure that you have good visual conditions for your video such as an uncluttered background and good lighting conditions. Avoid sitting in front of a window.

• Try to provide students with a copy of any slides, web links, or presentation materials prior to the start of the meeting. Students with attentional needs may miss content that is being presented. If students have access to their own copy they can preview information prior to the lesson and review it after the session.

• When referencing items and/or images on the screen, avoid using language that is vague and relies on visual context. For example instead of saying “over here” try saying “In the upper right-hand corner.”

• Briefly describe any images that convey meaning for the students as you as presenting.

• When using whiteboard features, make sure to take save the images created and then share it out to students after the session is complete. This will ensure that students that missed it will be able to review it later.

Auditory Considerations:

• As the presenter, make sure your environment is as quiet as possible. Headphones with a microphone can help with this. Also, make sure your background is as visually simple as possible.

• When talking, face forward so that participants can see your lips moving and your facial expressions.

• Mute all the participants except the speaker. This will reduce background noise for everyone.

• Repeat a student question before answering it. This will ensure that everyone has the context of your response.

• Teach students to respond visually when they are muted. They can use a thumbs up or a thumbs down to respond to questions.

• Do not block your face with your microphone, hands, books, or other items while talking.

• Allow for extra time to process auditory information. Also, allow extra time to communicate responses or questions through typing as necessary.

• Provide students with a means to ask questions (typing in chat, raising their hand) and encourage them to reach out if they need support. Ensure that students know the best way to ask you a question.