{"id":174,"date":"2016-12-11T22:49:27","date_gmt":"2016-12-11T22:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/?page_id=174"},"modified":"2026-04-10T11:56:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:56:36","slug":"facilitate-accessibility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/module-3\/facilitate-accessibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Facilitate Accessibility"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Online teaching requires knowledge of and adherence to standards and guidelines for universal access for all students. You need to be sure that all of your online students, including those with disabilities, will have access to online course tools, information, and materials. Using the 3 universal learning design (UDL) principles will help make sure your content is accessible to all learners. UDL is a framework to guide instructional practice that:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>(A) <span class=\"thspan\" data-rwthpgen=\"1\">provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"thspan\" data-rwthpgen=\"1\">(B) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and\u00a0 challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient. <em>From <a href=\"http:\/\/www.udlcenter.org\/aboutudl\/udldefined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UDL Defined.<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-662 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/udl.png\" alt=\"UDL guidelines icon\" width=\"311\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/udl.png 311w, https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/udl-300x232.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>3 Universal Learning Design Principles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Principle I. Provide Multiple Means of Representation<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li>Present information and content in different ways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Principle II. Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li>Differentiate the ways that students can express what they know\/make their thinking and learning visible to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Principle III. Provide Multiple Means of Engagement<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li>Stimulate interest and motivation for learning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition to the UDL Guidelines that can be used to guide learner-centered instructional practice, there are two US federal laws govern program and course access for all students: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/laws-and-policy\/individuals-disabilities\/section-504\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990<\/a>. In New York, we are also bound by the accessibility guidelines pertaining to technology included within <a href=\"https:\/\/www.access-board.gov\/the-board\/laws\/rehabilitation-act-of-1973#508\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Section 508<\/a> of the Rehabilitation Act.<\/p>\n<p>As you create materials for your online course, you will need to ensure that they are in line with these standards and guidelines. Conforming to these standards will benefit students with disabilities, and will help all of your online students to access and use the content of your online course.<\/p>\n<h2>HELP!<\/h2>\n<p>Check with the online faculty support or IT department at your institution to see what documentation, training, and services are available for faculty teaching online, and students taking online courses regarding accessibility. SUNY Online Teaching has developed <a href=\"https:\/\/oscqr.suny.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OSCQR<\/a>, a rubric that has integrated accessibility standards, that you can use to guide you in your development of an accessible online course, and training available to assist you with <a href=\"https:\/\/cpd.suny.edu\/eit-accessibility-resource-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Web Accessibility.<\/a> You can also review the <a href=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/onlineteaching\/page\/accessibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SUNY resources on online accessibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-289 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line.png\" alt=\"horizontal line\" width=\"700\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line.png 700w, https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line-300x21.png 300w, https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line-100x7.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 700px; display: flex; padding: 5px;\">\n<div><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GXlsFTMa_V0\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 180px; padding-left: 5px;\">In this YouTube video, online faculty and instructional designers share their perspectives on accessibility and universal design for instruction.<br \/>\n(4 minutes)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When making course content accessible, it benefits all learners by creating paths so that all learners can succeed. There are ethical and pedagogical reasons why accessibility matters, but this is a reminder of the legal reasons why accessibility matters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/general\/topic\/disability\/ada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Americans with Disabilities Act <\/a>(ADA) \u2013 The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/title2.ed.gov\/Public\/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Title II:<\/a> State and Local Government Activities \u2013 covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government entity\u2019s size or receipt of Federal funding. Title II requires that State and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities (e.g. public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/webaim.org\/articles\/laws\/usa\/rehab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rehabilitation Act of 1973<\/a> \u2013 The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Section 504: \u201cNo qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under\u201d any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency or the USPS.<\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Section 508: Establishes requirements for electronic and information technologies developed, maintained, procured or used by the Federal government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-289 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line.png\" alt=\"horizontal line\" width=\"700\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line.png 700w, https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line-300x21.png 300w, https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/line-100x7.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>MORE TO EXPLORE<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cvent.com\/events\/open-suny-center-for-online-teaching-excellence-cote-catalog-of-offerings\/custom-115-e42870a056e8489bb4ab09f0ae02faf6.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Universal Design for Learning and Web Accessibility: Meeting the Needs of All Students<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nA face-to-face or facilitated online competency development course that will help you gain a better understanding of accessibility as a civil rights issue and develop the knowledge and skills you need to design learning experiences that promote inclusive learning environments.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/onlineteaching\/page\/accessibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Accessibility Resources from SUNY Online Teaching<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nThis comprehensive list of related links can guide your exploration of effective practices and compliance issues related to accessibility and universal design for online courses.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/oscqr.suny.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OSCQR Online Course Quality Review Rubric<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThe SUNY Online Course Quality Review Rubric (OSCQR) is an online course quality rubric with integrated accessibility and RSI standards developed by SUNY Online Teaching.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; 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You need to be sure that all of your online students, including those with disabilities, will have access to online course tools, information, and materials. Using the 3 universal learning design (UDL) principles will help make sure your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-174","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=174"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1142,"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/174\/revisions\/1142"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/interested\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}