Images are a powerful element of a Blackboard course, but they’re only effective when all students can access and understand them. Adding descriptions—sometimes called alt text—ensures that visuals communicate meaning...
Read MorePowerPoint has several built-in features designed to help you create accessible PowerPoint presentations. When creating new PowerPoint presentations, you can use the Accessibility Checker to review and flag potential...
Read MoreAccessibility benefits everyone—even you.
Read MoreAlt text is descriptive text that explains the meaning of an image so screen readers can convey it to users with visual impairments. Microsoft 365’s Accessibility Checker helps you find missing or unclear alt text, offers suggestions, and lets you edit or mark images as decorative. To use it, go to Review → Check Accessibility, then review and update any flagged images.
Read MoreOne of the standards of the Quality Matters™ rubric requires the accessibility policies of technologies used in courses. This post includes links to accessibility statements for course technologies.
Read MoreTextual alternatives to images should be provided for learners with visual and certain cognitive disabilities employing screen readers. This also enables images to be understood in the event that they are not displayed in the browser.
Read MoreTables should be used to display data. Avoid using tables for page layout, though it might be tempting to do so. Layout tables do not allow users flexibility in viewing the content since it is “trapped” in the table cell and might not be read in the correct order by a screen reader.
Read MoreAlly is a built-in tool that provides instructors with guidance on how to create accessible learning materials for all students. Ally automatically checks course content and files in Blackboard for common accessibility issues, gives feedback on how to improve the files, and creates alternative formats, such as audio files, electronic braille, or screen readable pdfs.
Read MoreIt is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations from the Center for Educational Access each semester.
Read MoreWhen using color to convey information there are several issues to consider to make sure that everyone gets the information regardless of ability.
Read MoreReadSpeaker has already been available as a text-to-speech tool within Blackboard Learn Original courses. ReadSpeaker TextAid allows for text-to-speech on any website, as well as within iFrame-embedded content inside of...
Read MoreYou should follow some general best practices when writing for online readers to make sure that text and hyperlinks are accessible for all readers regardless of ability.
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