Planning

Accessibility Planning

There are many things you can do to make sure that all your online sessions are as accessible as possible.

So what would YOU do if ……..

 Here are some considerations:

• Check the accessibility features available in your web conferencing platform.
• Do you have a standard accessibility question in your booking form?
• Provide another opportunity for participants to let you know about their accessibility requirements in the joining instructions.
• Encourage participants to let you know their needs by other appropriate means.
• Adapt your session and resources before the day according to the needs of your participants.
• Be sure that all participants have the necessary resources at least twenty four hours ahead of time, so they are able to prepare.
• Make sure your adaptations don't exclude other participants!
  

Click on the icons below to see more advice on accessibility.

Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing Accessibility Guide for Moderators

How to make visual presentations accessible to audience members with print impairments

IBM Overcoming Accessibility Challenges of Web Conferencing

Visual Impairment

When planning a web conferencing session here are some typical issues that you will need to address for participants who have a visual impairment:

• Listen to presenter or listen to screen reader? Which is most important?
• Accessing visual information?
• Some functionality not accessible?
• Keeping up with the multiple threads by sound alone?

Click on the icon below to see one example of how a visually impaired person can be supported.

Some suggested solutions for these issues can be found in the associated delivery section, click here to to see them.

Hearing Impairment

When planning a web conferencing session here are some typical issues that you will need to address for participants who have a hearing impairment:

• What is the presenter saying - content?
• What is the presenter saying - instructions - e.g. press voting button, annotate whiteboard?
• Making sense of text dense information?
• Keeping up with the multiple threads when working in second language?

Click on the icon below to see one example of how a hearing impaired person can be supported.

Some suggested solutions for these issues can be found in the associated delivery section, click here to to see them.

Dyslexic Impairment

When planning a web conferencing session here are some typical issues that you will need to address for participants who have a varying degrees of dyslexia:

• Making sense of text dense information
• Fear of poor spelling
• Keeping up with multiple threads - speed of reading? articulacy of written responses?

Some suggested solutions for these issues can be found in the associated delivery section, click here to to see them.

Cultural Barriers

When planning and designing your session:

• Strive for neutrality

• Avoid pop culture references

• Use culturally sensitive images

• Create a comfortable environment

• Be aware of time zone issues

Language Barriers

When planning and designing your session:

• Use clear and concise language

• Avoid jargon and slang

• Schedule in extra time for communication

• Share materials in advance