Resources
AccessERC maintains a searchable database of frequently asked questions, case studies, and promising practices related to how educators and employers can fully include students with disabilities. The Knowledge Base is an excellent resource for ideas that can be implemented in programs in order to better serve students with disabilities. In particular, the promising practices articles serve to spread the word about practices that show evidence of improving the participation of people with disabilities in postsecondary education.
Examples of Knowledge Base questions include the following:
- Are electronic whiteboards accessible to people with disabilities?
- Are peer review tools accessible?
- Are there computer keyboards designed to be used with only one hand?
- Are touch screens accessible?
- Do postsecondary institutions have to provide assistive technology (for example, screen enlargement or voice recognition software) to students with disabilities who enroll in distance learning courses?
- Does a postsecondary institution have to provide specific hardware or software (known as assistive technology) that an individual with a disability requests so that they can access information technology used on campus?
- Are funds available specifically for captioning?
- Are there any web-based tutorials on web accessibility?
Individuals and organizations are encouraged to propose questions and answers, case studies, and promising practices for the Knowledge Base. Contributions and suggestions can be sent to doit@uw.edu.
For more information on making your campus technology accessible and to learn more about accessible learning or universal design, review the following websites and brochures:
- The University of Washington’s website for information on accessible technology features guides for how to create and develop accessible documents, videos, and websites.
- Accessible University’s website provides common web accessibility principles and solutions.
- Equal Access: Universal Design of Distance Learning Programs provides information on universally designed distance learning programs.
- DO-IT's Accessible Distance Learning webpage supplies tips on what accessible distance learning is and how it helps students.
- The article "Accessible Web Design" educates why accessible web design matters, and provides some resources to make your website accessible.
- The Center for Universal Design in Education provides more information on universal design in education.
- The AccessEngineering website can give further information and resources for specific engineering education.