DES eLearning Accessibility Workshop

The Department of Enterprise Services will be offering a number of eLearning Accessibility Workshops virtually. These hands-on workshops will provide learners with a brief overview of Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliance, as it relates to eLearning courses. Students will learn steps to ensure that courses developed in Articulate Storyline are accessible.

Introduction, overview & the law

• Introduction to Web Accessibility: This introduction should help you understand how people with disabilities use the web, the frustrations they feel when they cannot access the web, and what you can do to make your sites more accessible.
• Sections 508 and 504: Closed Captioning and Web Accessibility Requirements: This document provides you with an overview of the history and laws surrounding accessibility.
• Policy 188: This policy establishes the standard for accessibility for state agencies.
• OCIO Minimum Accessibility Standard

Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Quick Access Guide

The following recommendations for instructors and facilitators were developed in collaboration with interpreters and Deaf instructors from the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth.

General recommendations

• Provide interpreting service for virtual trainings upon receiving an accommodation request. If allowable, record training events for future access.
• Tell learners how to request services on all event flyers and announcements.
• Request interpreters 2 weeks in advance whenever possible.
• Be aware, meetings over 1 hour will require a team of 2 interpreters
• Interpreters will ask for clarifications as needed. Be ready to have them interrupt. (This doesn’t happen often but can.)

For in person meetings

• Allow Deaf participants to sit wherever they’re most comfortable. Be ready to make some physical adjustments to the room if necessary.
• Be prepared for an interpreter to be close to you and/or the information being presented.
• If using visuals, allow for time to read/view the visual before speaking.
• When asking for participation, allow 5-10 seconds before calling on anyone. This gives the interpreter time to complete your last statement.

For Zoom meetings/webinars

Zoom is the most accessible ASL user friendly platform. Other platforms may require ASL users and interpreters to use 2 platforms to make the meeting accessible.

• Host needs to turn on the ability to “multi-pin.”
• Check with interpreter and ASL users on screen preferences. Whenever possible, limit number of participants on screen.
• Have speakers state their name when they start speaking. This helps when more than one person (and interpreter) are on screen.
• For webinars, make sure interpreters are panelists.

About ASL users

• Remember to speak directly to DHH learners.
• Remember all people are unique. Be curious about what they need. It is ok to be uncomfortable at first.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Section 508: This website provides an introduction to Section 508, what it is and what it requires. It also includes a broad array of frequently asked questions directly related to Section 508.

Closed caption for YouTube videos

• DIY Resources for Closed Captioning and Transcription: If your videos are hosted on YouTube, there are a number of ways to create your own captions directly in the YouTube editing interface.

Storyline

• Storyline 360 Supports Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: Information about creating Storyline 360 courses that support Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Checklists

• Section 508 Roadmap: Follow the Revised 508 Standards to ensure your information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Accessible documents

Create More Accessible Word Documents
This course will provide you with basic information for creating accessible documents in Word. Videos include: creating accessible documents, improving accessibility with alt text, improving header accessibility, creating accessible links, creating accessible tables, and creating accessible file names.

• Microsoft Word: Creating Accessible Documents: This document provides an outline that shows how an assisted technology user would navigate through a Word document with a proper heading structure.

Create More Accessible PowerPoint Slides
This course will provide you with basic information for creating accessible PowerPoint slides. Videos include: creating accessible slides, improving images accessibility, using accessible colors and styles, designing slides for people with dyslexia, and saving a presentation in an alternate format.

• PowerPoint Accessibility: This article outlines how to make PowerPoint files more accessible on the web.

Create More Accessible Email Messages in Outlook
This course will provide you with basic information for creating accessible emails in Outlook. Videos include: improving email accessibility, improving images accessibility, and adding accessible emails.

Create More Accessible Excel Workbooks
This course will provide you with basic information for creating accessible Excel workbooks. Videos include: using accessible Excel templates, creating more accessible tables, and creating more accessible charts.

PDF Accessibility
Defines Acrobat PDF accessibility.

Jess Thompson at SBCTC
This course includes information on accessibility basics, creating accessible materials, and online accessibility.

Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities
This factsheet provides guidelines for portraying individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way by using language that is accurate, neutral and objective.

JAWS

• JAWS: How to use JAWS to evaluate web accessibility.

LinkedIn Learning.com

• LinkedIn Learning.com: Accessibility training and tutorials