Online Course | Accessibility in Higher Education: Considerations and Strategies During COVID-19

Part 1: July 8, 2020 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Part 2: July 15, 2020 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Part 3: July 22, 2020 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

Overview

Has the pandemic-driven shift to remote teaching, learning, and work raised questions about your accessibility capability? Digital accessibility—ensuring equal electronic access to those with disabilities is critical—but valuing accessibility and ensuring it’s prioritized and implemented are different, especially when forced to act quickly. Agility and responsiveness should not come at the cost of accessibility, even amid rapid shifts from on-campus to at-home or in-person to online teaching because of COVID-19. This short course will explore components of effective accessibility programs and apply them to nascent issues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Learning Outcomes:

NOTE: You will be asked to complete assignments in between the course segments that support the learning objectives stated below. You will receive feedback and constructive critique from course facilitators during the breakout portions of the course segments.

• Explain digital accessibility in terms of equal access as well as compliance and apply it to institutional programs, activities, and opportunities
• Identify and reference the essential functions of an agile higher education digital accessibility program in order to apply them to a current challenge
• Demonstrate key components of effective and accessible online learning experiences and digital communication strategies
• Develop a near-term plan of action for an institution to improve digital accessibility as part of a crisis response and communication strategy

Instructor

Kyle Shachmut, Assistant Director, Digital Accessibility, Harvard University

Michael Cyr, Director, Architecture and Service Management, University of Maine System

Michelle Morgan, Digital Accessibility Specialist, Yale University