Course Syllabus
Accessibility Workshop
Syllabus Contents
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Jim Dicus
Email jim.dicus@bellevuecollege.edu
Phone 425.564.2119
Sponsors Bellevue College eLearning and BC Connect
Workshop Location online
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Required Textbooks and Course Materials
Norman Coombs. Making Online Teaching Accessible: Inclusive Design for Students with Disabilities. 1st ed.
(ISBN: 978-0470499047)
Norman Coombs' book is a guide to accessibility for inclusive design. The textbook has how-to sections for accessible design that we will be not using as new versions of Microsoft Office have been released, and we will be using more current guides. The most important aspect of this book is timeless as it discusses the principles upon which we must approach accessibility in design.
The rest of the course materials will be available online in either video or PDF form.
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Purpose for the Accessibility Workshop
This course is designed to provide an overview of Accessibility in addition to training around four basic, but very commonly used, platforms in education--especially on the Bellevue College campus. In addition to videos and literature regarding accessibility, there will be exercises in each content module to help you gain a better understanding of how to create accessible documents.
Outcomes for the Accessibility Workshop
When finished with this workshop, participants should be able to
- Explain basic concepts and the importance of Accessibility
- Discuss accessible tools used in course delivery
- Provide examples of accessible content in your course
- Practice how to apply styles on multiple platforms
- Microsoft Word
- PowerPoint
- Modify a syllabus to make it accessible
- Use tools for checking content accessibility
- Access and review resources for creating accessible content on widely-used platforms in education
How Outcomes Will be Met
Throughout the workshop you will read from Coombs' textbook, read about accessibility online, and engage in exercises designed to illustrate the importance of inclusive design in the classroom--especially in an online environment.
To obtain the Certificate of Completion for this course, you must participate in all discussion forums, complete all module assignments, and submit the module capstone assignments (Accessible Syllabus & Accessible PowerPoint) with a minimum passing grade of 90%.
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How is this Course Accessible?
Although I cannot guarantee the accessibility of Canvas, everything I've designed and provided for you here conforms to accessibility guidelines.
- Alt text for images
- Styles
- Content is grouped
Course VPAT
In addition to working with the tools available to create an accessible environment, I've listed the available VPATs for the software I am using.
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Revision Policy
Accessibility is all about revision. We must revise our way of thinking as we present course materials--especially in an online environment. This workshop is designed to help you revise your course materials in a way to make them more inclusive. Accessibility cannot be thought of as something that can be simply added on to existing design, and I understand that. We must take small steps as we overhaul the materials for students and each other. Revising the way we approach design is an easy first step, and that is what this workshop is all about.
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Attendance
The Accessibility Workshop will be housed online and is designed to take about 10-18 hours over a three week period. We won't be meeting in person, so everything will be conducted in Canvas. Celebrate the online learning environment and gain tips and tricks to help make your teaching life easier.
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Electronic Devices
The Accessibility Workshop is an online course, so I suggest using a computer with a stable internet connect that can handle uploading documents and streaming short videos.
Internet Browsers
Canvas is constantly being updated and so are Internet browsers. Sometimes the browsers aren't fully compatible with all the features in Canvas. If you have questions, please refer to the Canvas Help Guide Page, What web browser should I use? for an up-to-date list of suggested browsers.
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Mutual Respect
We're all here for the same reason, to learn. Yes, me too. Therefore, we will all respect each other in this class. If you choose not to respect your fellow learners, then you choose not to be in this class. Repeated acts of gross disrespect will result in removal from the class. It's okay not to agree with others, but you must be civil about it. If you have any questions, please ask me or refer to the college’s Affirmation of Inclusion posted online.
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Student Code of Conduct
“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.” The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located on Bellevue College's Policies and Procedures: 2050 Student Code page.
Netiquette
Although we abide by the Student Code of Conduct, appropriate behavior in an online environment is all about common sense. We must treat each other with respect and dignity. No disrespect nor attacking anyone will be tolerated. If you've not spent much time in an online community, read through this guide about Netiquette to help further your understanding of appropriate conduct.
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Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is a program of support available to you.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. . . Please visit the DRC website for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
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Final Notes
We are here together to gain insight on accessibility, and I wish for all of you to gain something practical that you can implement in your classes--either immediately or long term. In this class we will operate from a platform of mutual respect. That being said, I expect a difference of opinion, and welcome it for understanding the perspective of others will allow us to grow as individuals. Of course that doesn’t give any single person free reign to berate or belittle anyone, and I will not tolerate that.
I'm here for you. Ask me questions. Send me emails. Post in the General Comments/Questions About the Course. Whatever you do, don’t forget that we're all a resource for each other.
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Important Links
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Course Summary:
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