Seven Special Elements of Inclusive and Accessible Course Content

Courses that are designed using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, are inherently equitable, inclusive, and sometimes accessible. By paying attention to accessibility, we can reduce many of the barriers to learning for students in the digital environment. In this session, we will provide an overview of UDL and basic accessibility concepts, and how UDL and digital inclusion are interconnected. Participants will experience the use of a step-by-step process in action, using the seven special elements with different tools and checkers to check for and improve accessibility in various types of course content. The human accessibility checker will also be demonstrated. Participants will leave with access to an accessible resources checklist and a curated list of free tutorials and links to guide teachers and content creators to design accessible learning materials.

Session Outcomes:

• Gain a better understanding of how the implementation of UDL principles combined with the use of accessible course content reduces barriers to learning.
• Identify the seven elements of accessible content and how to utilize them.
• Implement strategies for applying tools to check and improve accessibility of learning content.