{"id":260,"date":"2017-11-09T14:49:08","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T19:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/digital-accessibility-initiative\/?page_id=260"},"modified":"2022-02-28T14:16:57","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T19:16:57","slug":"how-to-create-accessible-instructional-materials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/digital-accessibility-initiative\/how-to-create-accessible-instructional-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"Additional Accessibility Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Commitment to Accessibility at Montclair State University<\/h2>\n<p>As an institution that receives federal funding under the Assistive Technology Act, we are committed to making our electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities (required by Section 508).<\/p>\n<h2>Accessible Instructional Materials<\/h2>\n<p>All course materials should be posted in an accessible format. We\u2019ve outlined some actions you can take to ensure your courses are accessible to all students.<\/p>\n<p>Montclair State has an\u00a0<a rel=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/digital-accessibility-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2018\/05\/MSU-Course-Syllabus-Guidelines.doc\">accessible course syllabus<\/a>\u00a0available for download in the Microsoft Word format. This follows best practices, as explained below, to ensure this critical document is accessible to all students.<\/p>\n<h2>Documents<\/h2>\n<h3>MS Office files (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Word: Use heading styles and ALT text for images. Run the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-us\/word-help\/check-for-accessibility-issues-HA010369192.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker<\/a>. See additional tips for\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-us\/word-help\/creating-accessible-word-documents-HA101999993.aspx?CTT=1#_Toc275414987\" target=\"_blank\">creating accessible word documents.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>PowerPoint: Use built-in slide layout templates and add ALT text for images. Use the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-us\/powerpoint-help\/check-for-accessibility-issues-HA010369192.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">built-in accessibility checker<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Excel: Specify column headers. Run the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-us\/excel-help\/check-for-accessibility-issues-HA010369192.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Microsoft Excel Accessibility Checker<\/a>. It will guide you through making it accessible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Portable Document Format (PDF)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>If you are converting your documents from MS Word to PDF: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/support.office.com\/en-us\/article\/Save-or-convert-to-PDF-d85416c5-7d77-4fd6-a216-6f4bf7c7c110\" target=\"_blank\">Convert MS Office file to PDF<\/a><\/li>\n<li>All materials scanned or converted to PDF must use Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Refer to the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/helpx.adobe.com\/acrobat\/using\/scan-documents-pdf.html\" target=\"_blank\">Adobe Acrobat \u201cHow to\u201d guide<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/webaim.org\/techniques\/acrobat\/converting\" target=\"_blank\">WebAIM \u00a0PDF Accessibility tutorial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdl.ucf.edu\/files\/2014\/01\/Tag_Existing_PDF_Tutorial.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">How to tag an existing PDF<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washington.edu\/accessibility\/documents\/pdf-acrobat\/\" target=\"_blank\">Fixing Inaccessible PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Google Docs or Slides<\/h3>\n<p>Google Docs or Slides\u00a0should be formatted so that they are readable by all \u2013 Review\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/docs\/topic\/6039805?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=1382883\" target=\"_blank\">Accessibility for Docs editors<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Canvas Specific Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Use the Canvas Accessibility Checker \u2013 The \u00a0Accessibility Checker verifies content created within the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/docs\/DOC-10728-67952720342\" target=\"_blank\">Rich Content Editor<\/a>\u00a0to check on common accessibility issues. Check out the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/docs\/DOC-13345-4152808104\" target=\"_blank\">Canvas Guides<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ally<\/strong>\u00a0for Canvas is embedded in all University Canvas courses and automatically checks for accessibility issues and generates alternative accessible formats. Ally also guides instructors on how to improve the accessibility of course content.\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hJx-AW1EFdo&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\">Ally for Faculty tutorial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Ally\/Ally_for_LMS\/Instructor\" target=\"_blank\">Ally Help<\/a>\u00a0page<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2018\/05\/Ally-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf\">Ally Accessibility Checklist<\/a>\u00a0describes\u00a0what Ally checks for in document types.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Use Canvas to provide\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/docs\/DOC-13053-4152276279\" target=\"_blank\">extended time on quizzes<\/a>\u00a0for students who need it.<\/li>\n<li>Canvas can also allow for\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/docs\/DOC-10036-4152101241\" target=\"_blank\">differentiated assignments<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>When offering Canvas conferencing sessions, share presentation materials prior to the live session to ensure students can access them. Other accommodations may be required based on students\u2019 needs such as live captioning or alternative content formats.<\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/docs\/DOC-2060-general-accessibility-design-guidelines\" target=\"_blank\">Review the Canvas General Accessibility Design Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For additional guidance please consult with the\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/disability-resource-center\/\">Montclair State Disability Resource Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Layout, Design and Color<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Use headings to make pages easy to navigate.<\/li>\n<li>Font size should be larger than 10pt, to ensure legibility.<\/li>\n<li>Links should be labeled in a descriptive way. Avoid \u201cclick here\u201d or URLs to web addresses<\/li>\n<li>Tables should be formatted to include row and column headers.<\/li>\n<li>Color should not be used to convey important information.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure color contrast is strong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Images and Graphics<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>All images and graphics need alternative text or descriptions (e.g. \u201cALT\u201d) which allow visually impaired students to understand what they represent.\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/accessibility.psu.edu\/images\/charts\/\" target=\"_blank\">Accessible Charts<\/a>\u00a0(View how to use visuals to convey complex images to users, from Penn State).<\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/accessibility.psu.edu\/math\/equations\/\" target=\"_blank\">Equations<\/a>\u00a0(View how to make math equations accessible, from Penn State)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Video and Audio<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Audio files should include transcripts.<\/li>\n<li>All videos should have captions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Panopto<\/strong>\u00a0is now available \u2013 Panopto\u00a0is an all-in-one video platform. It not only provides desktop lecture recording and automatic captioning services, but also offers pedagogical features to add learning interactions within a video. It is seamlessly integrated with Canvas. You can review our\u00a0<strong>Panopto Documentation<\/strong>\u00a0for both the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2018\/11\/Creating-a-Recording-Using-Panopto-PC.pdf\">PC (Windows)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2018\/11\/Creating-a-Recording-Using-Panopto-Mac.pdf\">Mac (Apple)\u00a0<\/a>or attend a\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/itdsevents.montclair.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">training workshop<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/oit\/njvid\/\">NJVid<\/a>, known as the New Jersey Digital Video Repository, is a service for video streaming and publishing of videos for higher education institutions. NJVID provides a common online platform for presenting, accessing, and hosting Montclair State University\u2019s licensed and locally produced videos that educate and enlighten viewers in support of hybrid and online teaching and learning.<\/li>\n<li>The University\u2019s NJVID accommodates two types of video collections: Academic\/Administrative Collections and Commercial Video Collections (the Sprague Library Collection).\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/media\/montclairedu\/oit\/documentation\/NJVID-New-Jersey-Video-Repository.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">NJVID Digital Media Repository<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Email<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Formatting \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Use a sans serif font such as Arial, Helvetica or Verdana,\u00a012 point or larger and\u00a0left aligned.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hyperlinks\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Use the link tool instead of copying and pasting the URL: First, click on the\u00a0<strong>Insert Link<\/strong>\u00a0icon; next, type a\u00a0meaningful descriptive title for the link under\u00a0<strong>Text to display,\u00a0<\/strong>then <strong>paste<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0URL under\u00a0<strong>Web Address.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Images \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Any pictures and graphs within an email must include alternative text\u00a0or descriptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>SensusAccess E-Learning<\/h3>\n<p>SensusAccess is a self-service alternative media solution for educational institutions. SensusAccess allows students, faculty and staff to automatically convert documents into a range of alternate media including audiobooks (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (EPUB, EPUB3 and Mobi) and digital Braille. The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible and less tricky formats.<\/p>\n<p>Watch the following video to learn more about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nyq_0ozjVno\">SensusAccess<\/a>. Learn how to create more accessible documents with SensusAccess (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/digital-accessibility-initiative\/sensusaccess\/\">https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/digital-accessibility-initiative\/sensusaccess\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>The following e-learning courses are available to instruct students, faculty and staff how to create more accessible documents with this tool.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module1\/story.html\">Module 1: Introduction to the e-learning course<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module2\/story.html\">Module 2: Overview of the SensusAccess service<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module3\/story.html\">Module 3: Producing simple MP3 files<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module4\/story.html\">Module 4: Converting inaccessible and\u00a0tricky documents<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module5\/story.html\">Module 5: Producing simple e-books<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module6\/story.html\">Module 6: Designing and creating accessible documents<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module7\/story.html\">Module 7: Producing advanced e-books<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module8\/story.html\">Module 8: Producing DAISY books<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sensusaccess.com\/elearning\/sa\/en-us\/module9\/story.html\">Module 9: Producing Braille<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>References Consulted<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/teachingcommons.cdl.edu\/access\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Accessible Technology Resources for Teaching and Learning from the California State University<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/chronicle.com\/article\/As-High-Tech-Teaching-Catches\/190341\/?cid=wc&amp;utm_source=wc&amp;utm_medium=en\" target=\"_blank\">As High-Tech Teaching Catches On, Students With Disabilities Can Be Left Behind, By Casey Fabris<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.interactiveaccessibility.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Interactive Accessibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ttu.edu\/accessibility\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Tech University Online Accessibility website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/accessibility.psu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Accessibility and Usability at Penn State<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/its.umich.edu\/communication\/collaboration\/google\/accessibility\" target=\"_blank\">Information Technology (IT) Accessibility at the University of Michigan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/accessibility.temple.edu\" target=\"_blank\">Temple University\u2019s Accessible Technology Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Commitment to Accessibility at Montclair State University As an institution that receives federal funding under the Assistive Technology Act, we are committed to making our electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities (required by Section 508). Accessible Instructional Materials All course materials should be posted in an accessible format. 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