JISC

Fit for purpose? How your project can easily be made more usable by potential users

Introduction and aims

How do you reach your audience? How do you know your project will deliver what they need? There is a requirement on all JISC projects to consider accessibility and the needs of the user community. This interactive workshop will highlight quick and easy practical tips for making projects more accessible to a range of users and signpost some more detailed guidance for those wanting to investigate further.

NB This workshop is intended to be interactive - anyone who has brought a laptop will be given the opportunity to try out some of the techniques, others may have to come to the front and try things on the big screen!

Topics covered

The Holistic Approach to accessibility draws upon principles of web accessibility, relating the ethos to the more complex and interactive world of e-learning. Practical guidance on topics such as e-assessment, portfolios and learning resources in relation to accessibility will be signposted, and a range of potential first steps demonstrated. Technology enhanced learning environments will be discussed, and guidance suggested on the wide range of potential inclusion benefits of these technologies.

Outcomes for participants

Project teams will leave this session with an increased understanding of accessibility and inclusion issues and the benefits of e-learning to the wider accessibility agenda, as well as a can-do approach to a range of techniques and first steps that can be utilised across their project work without too much effort!

Workshop leader

This workshop will be led and facilitated by Dr. Simon Ball, Senior Advisor, TechDis Service. See http://www.techdis.ac.uk/ for further details.

Materials

All materials, including the presentation linked to a range of web-based documents and resources can be downloaded from Module 12 'JISC eLearning Programme Meeting, 12th March 2008' at: http://www.techdis.ac.uk/community/course/view.php?id=79