6 Responses

1. E-learning with disabilities
   Hi Don,
   At my company (an e-learning production company), we ensure that people with impairments never miss out on the e-learning experience. We have been doing this for a long time with the direction of many clients, so I hope to guide you in the right direction:

   For impaired sight, we incorporate an audio narration and auto-advancing slides, so there is no need to read the screen except for optional overview.

   For individuals with hearing impairments, we recommend that there be a text version of the script of an online presentation. This way viewers can read along while viewing the content. It’s even better if this content is on-screen!

   These are the standards we have put in place because nobody should be excluded from convenient learning. I’m glad to see you have the same mindset! If you have any questions, please don’t hesistate to contact me directly via e-mail.

   Sean Higby
   seanhigby@learningpipe.com
   Head of Development
   Learning Pipe – Online Learning Made Easy

2. SENDA compliant material
   Good Afternoon,

   Has anyone worked through the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) part of W3C, priority checkpoints?

   To fully meet the WAI priorities and hence towards
   SENDA compliance will mean some time spent carefully looking at your web based material.

   It will be a legal requirement to satisfy these priorities and cases have been brought to law already in respect of non compliant websites and web based material.

   Best Wishes, Michael J. Bailey. Connected Learning.

3. Accessibility website
   The Open Training Education Network, part of the NSW Department of Education in Australia, has developed an excellent guide to ensuring websites are accessible to all people, including those with a disability. Many of these guidelines are also applicable to developing all learning materials.

   http://www.oten.edu.au/optionkeys/

4. Access to eLearning for disabled staff
   Don,
   You might like to look at an e-learning course titled Disability Confident. This course is marketed through Skill Boosters and was made with the Employer’s Forum on Disability.

   The features include:
   Subtitles for audio and video
   Adjustable colour schemes
   Keyboard or mouse navigation
   AuDeTel version (Audio descriptions of video)
   Screen Reader compatibility.

   For more info see http://www.skillboosters.com

   Jane

5. ideas so EVERYONE can use a computer
   One excellent source of ideas to help anyone whatever the issues they have to deal with in relation to using a computer is the my computer my way site which can be found at http://www.abilitynet.co.uk/myway/.

   They give ideas about adjustments that can be made to computer software as well ideas for additional hardware and software to help users with a wide variety of practical issues including visual impairment, RSI even dyslexia.

   There again no amount of hardware or software can help a learner cope with a web site that is not designed with their needs in mind. Remember though that those who do not make reasonable efforts to adjust their web site to the needs of everyone who tries to use it could reap the wrath of the Disability Commission. Some could even be affected by the Human Rights Act depending if their funding arrangements mean they are covered by the Act.

   Susan

6. Accessible e-learning
   I am currently using a web based system for TNA, tracking training and records maintenance, which also allows me to produce real time reports. It can even be used as an e-learning delivery tool. The advantage I found of this system is that it is WAI Priority AAA accessible (the highest level for accessibility). Have tried a number of others but they cannot be accessed easily by someone using accessibility tools such as Lynx, Jaws, etc. They have successfully translated pages for me so that they are fully accessible regardless of the ability of the user. Suggest you visit http://www.trainingplanit.co.uk. Hope this helps!