jump to content

Learning Modules

Web Accessibility Overview
Overview This module provides an introduction to universal design, web usability, and web accessibility. The focus of the module is to provide an overview of web accessibility, including its essential role in providing equal opportunity for people with disabilities, additional benefits to others, myths surrounding web accessibility, and examples of web page coding techniques that improve the accessibility of web pages.
Objectives
  • Describe principles of universal design
  • Discuss benefits of universally designed content for everyone
  • Define usability
  • Define accessibility
  • Describe how accessibility benefits users without disabilities
  • Identify forms of disability that should be considered when designing accessible web sites
  • Identify and describe a web page with accessibility / usability issues
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one three hour class session or two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend six hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Discussion Question (or blog posting)
    Take a moment to view Universal Design for the Web. This suggests that while usability does not necessarily increase accessibility, increased accessibility tends to increase usability. Do you agree? Why or why not? Find at least one Web resource that supports your opinion.
  • Lab Assignment: Awareness Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Assistive Technology: Screen Readers and Browsers
Overview Individuals with a wide range of physical challenges use assistive technologies ranging from screen readers to browser plug-ins. The purpose of this module is to introduce you to assistive technologies and to begin to utilize a browser as an accessibility checker. In the Simulation Lab you'll explore what it is like to try to visit a web page while experiencing a physical challenge.
Objectives
  • Describe the purpose of screen readers
  • Download and install a screen reader
  • Discuss the ways that individuals with disabilities may access the Web
  • Identify common screen readers, talking browsers, and text-only browsers
  • Describe accessibility features of commonly used browsers
  • Demonstrate using simulation software to emulate a physical challenge while visiting a web page
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one three hour class session or two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend six hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Lab Assignment: Simulation Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Section 508, WCAG 1.0, WCAG 2.0
Overview In this module you'll explore the similarities and differences between WCAG 1.0, WCAG 2.0 and Section 508. Optionally, you'll take a look at other web accessibility guidelines chosen by your instructor, such as the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (IITAA) Guidelines.
Objectives
  • Describe W3C WCAG or Section 508 recommendations in creating accessible web content
  • Describe the WCAG 2.0 POUR Framework (perceivable, operable, understandable, robust) principles of accessibility
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend approximately six outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Discussion Question:
    Your task in this DQ is to locate and report on an article or blog post related to web accessibility guidelines. Be sure to find a specific ARTICLE or substantial BLOG post (at least 1000 words) about the topic instead of reporting about a web site that is about accessibility. E-mail me if you have questions about this distinction. It is preferred if the article or blog post was published within the last 12 months.

    Reply to this message by MM/DD:
    • Change the subject of your reply from "Mod # DQ - Explore Accessibility Guidelines" to "your name - article title"
      (For example: "Greg - A WCAG 2.0 Implementation Site").
    • List the exact URL of your article or blog post. Note: Do not report on an article has already been reported on by another student.
    • Write a brief summary (three to four sentences) of the article or blog post.
    • Write a brief reaction (three to four sentences) to the article or blog post.
      Agree? Disagree? Why? Justify your answer.

    Read the replies of the other students, visit the article/blog posts, and respond to at least two students by MM/DD.
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)

Accessible Content & Navigation with CSS
Overview In this module you'll focus on methods and techniques to configure accessible content on Web pages.
Objectives
  • Describe accessibility issues related to organization of page content.
  • Describe accessibility issues related to graphics, color, and text on web pages
  • Describe accessibility issues related to text, navigation, and CSS page layout.
  • Apply best web accessibility design practices related to graphics, color, text, navigation, and CSS page layout
  • Configure content on a web page with usable, accessible and standards-compliant (X)HTML and CSS markup
Length Note to Instructors: Students with a strong background in standards-based XHTML and CSS should complete this module in one week (nine hours for an online course). However, depending on the prerequisites you set and the background of your students, you may need to allow up to two weeks for this module.
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximately nine to eighteen hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take between two to four 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend between six to twelve hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Discussion Question 4
  • Lab Assignment: Accessible Content Design and Test Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Accessible Data Tables
Overview In this module you'll focus on methods and techniques to configure accessible data tables on Web pages.
Objectives
  • Describe accessibility issues related to data tables
  • Apply best practices for designing accessible data tables
  • Code a data table on a web page with usable, accessible and standards-compliant (X)HTML and CSS markup
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately five hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one 1 hour 30 minute class session
    • (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend three hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Lab Assignment: Accessible Table Lab Exercise
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Accessible Forms
Overview In this module you'll focus on methods and techniques to configure accessible forms on Web pages.
Objectives
  • Describe accessibility issues related to web forms
  • Apply best practices for designing accessible forms
  • Desrcibe accessibility issues related to form error processing
  • Code a form on a web page with usable, accessible and standards-compliant (X)HTML and CSS markup
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one three hour class session or two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend six hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Lab Assignment: Accessible Form Lab Exercise
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Discussion Question (or blog) Wrap-Up and evaluation (see Discussion Question rubric)
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Accessibility Testing
Overview You'll focus on testing for accessibility in this module. There are a number of manual checks that you can do to check a web page to determine if it is accessible. You'll also explore a variety of applications that can perform testing. As you try out these tools, explore web sites that you may want to consider for your project.
Objectives
  • Identify methods of verifying compliance with accessibility guidelines
  • Utilize assessment tools and techniques to verify the compliance of web content with accessibility guidelines and laws
  • Evaluate the compliance of a web site with accessibility guidelines and laws
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one three hour class session or two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend six hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Discussion Question 6
  • Lab Assignment: Accessibility Test Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and evaluation
  • Discussion Question Wrap-Up and evaluation
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Accessibility & PDFs
Overview Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) is a popular format for publishing and delivering documents on the Web. In this module you'll discover how to create an accessible PDF from Microsoft Word documents.
Objectives
  • Describe techniques to provide for accessibility when using Adobe PDF
  • Create accessible Adobe PDF
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximiately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend approximately six outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Lab Assignment: PDF Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and Evaluation
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Accessibility & Multimedia
Overview Multimedia seems to be everywhere on the Web these days. Adobe Flash is a popular format for interactive multimedia on the Web. You'll explore issues related to the use of Flash, some tips for accessible Flash in this module, and methods for captioning videos uploaded to YouTube.
Objectives
  • Describe techniques to provide for accessibility when using multimedia such as video, audio, and Adobe Flash
  • Explain the benefits of alternate text content, including audio transcription, video captioning, and video descriptions to potentially all individuals.
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximiately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend approximately six outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Optional Activity: Upload a video to YouTube with captions.
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and Evaluation

Accessibility & Scripting Overview
Overview This module will introduce you to accessibility issues related to the use of script on web pages.
Objectives
  • Describe techniques to provide for accessibility when using JavaScript
  • Describe the purpose of ARIA.
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximiately four hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take one 1 hour 30 minute class session (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend approximately three hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and Evaluation

Accessibility & Mobile Devices Overview
Overview

This module will introduce you to accessibility issues related to the use of mobile devices.
Objectives
  • Describe barriers common to mobile device users and indivdiuals with disabilties
  • Identify techniques to provide for accessibiltiy on mobile devices
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner between approximiately four hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take one 1 hour 30 minute class session (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend approximately three hours outside of class completing readings and learning activities.
Content Delivery
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and Evaluation

Accessibility Evaluation Activity
Overview You'll apply the skills and knowledge you've developed during this course as you complete an accessibility evaluation activity in this module.
Objectives
  • Recognize and apply universal design principles in web page design
  • Describe and apply W3C WCAG or Section 508 recommendations in creating accessible web content
  • Utilize assessment tools and techniques to verify the compliance of web content with accessibility guidelines and laws
  • Evaluate the compliance of a web site with accessibility guidelines and laws
Length
  • Online Course:
    • This module will take the learner approximately nine hours to complete.
  • Classroom Course:
    • This module will take approximately one three hour class session or two 1 hour 30 minute class sessions (in a computer lab classroom).
    • Students are expected to spend six hours outside of class completing the activities.
Content Delivery
  • There is no new content in this module. Learners apply skills and knowledge they have developed during the course as they complete an accessibility evaluation activity.
Assessment Activities
  • Blog Posting
  • Discussion Question 7
  • Lab Assignment: Accessibility Evaluation Lab
Wrap-Up/Feedback
  • Blog Wrap-Up and evaluation
  • Discussion Question Wrap-Up and evaluation
  • Lab Assignment written feedback and evaluation

Help us develop our living curriculum. Contribute a learning module.