Advocating for co-creation of accessibility

This video talks about two themes on advocating for the co-creation of accessibility, including cultivating mindset shift and the “u-SHARE approach”.Specifically, we will briefly go over four issues related to cultivating a mindset shift:

• The shared rights and responsibilities of all university members
• Eliminating ableism and embracing diversity
• Adopting the social model of disabilities
• Endorsing rights-based accessibility provisions.

The u-SHARE approach is suggested by our team. It features six interconnected elements that would help contribute to advocating for the co-creation of accessible virtual teaching and learning, including:

• University members, which means each of us
• Share
• Habit
• Apply
• Reconceptualize
• Engage

We will also provide 6 tips for communicating with vendors and developers of e-learning materials on accessibility issues:

• Consider your approach
• Identify key contacts
• Describe the accessibility issues clearly
• Include sources for more information
• Request a reply
• Follow up as needed

This video is one in the IDEALeaders Self-Learning Series on the Co-Creation of Virtual Learning Accessibility. It is one of the deliverables of the Project entitled “Promoting accessibility of virtual teaching and learning through a train-the-trainer approach” funded by the UGC Special Grant for Strategic Development of Virtual Teaching and Learning in 2021-2023.

English captions are available.

Timestamps of the chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:19 Cultivating mindset shift
• 06:02 The u-SHARE approach
• 06:29 S – Share
• 06:52 H – Habit
• 11:20 A – Apply
• 20:19 R – Reconceptualize
• 22:14 E – Engage
• 27:41 Communicating with vendors and developers of e-learning materials on accessibility issues
• 38:32 Concluding remarks
• 38:32 Disclaimer

Suggested citation:

Ma, G. Y. K., Choi, C., & Yeung, P. P. S. (2023). Advocating for co-creation of accessibility. [Video]. IDEALeaders Self-learning Series: Co-creation of virtual learning accessibility. HKU Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.22965104

Virtual Learning Accessibility Toolkit: PDF version and Website version

References listed in the video:

• Friedman, C., & Owen, A. L. (2017). Defining disability: Understandings of and attitudes towards ableism and disability. Disability Studies Quarterly, 37(1). https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/5061/4545
• Hansen, N., & Philo, C. (2007). The normality of doing things differently: Bodies, spaces and disability geography. Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie, 98(4), 493-506. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9663.2007.00417.x
• Ma, G. Y. K., Chan, B. L. F., Wu, F. K. Y., Ng, S. T. M., Ip, E. C. L., & Yeung, P. P. S. (2021). Enhancing Learning Experience for Students with Visual Impairment in Higher Education. Guideline on fostering practices for disability inclusion at higher education institutions. (Trial ed.). The University of Hong Kong. (146 pages.). https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.17032685
• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) document: Contacting Organizations about Inaccessible Websites. Editors: Andrew Arch, Shawn Lawton Henry, and Shadi Abou-Zahra. Contributors: Judy Brewer, Suzette Keith, Jennifer Sutton, WAI-AGE Task Force participants, and EOWG Participants. Copyright © 2017 Status: Updated 27 July 2017. https://www.w3.org/WAI/teach-advocate/contact-inaccessible-websites/

Points to note:

• This video is intended to serve as a general guide for creating accessible digital materials and virtual learning environment. The recommended practices in this video are not exhaustive or the best solutions for each situation. Teaching and learning practices might vary across academic disciplines, as well as individual preferences and needs. The recommended practices need to be fit and applied to various disciplinary contexts and authentic practices.
• Please be aware that fulfilling all the practices suggested by this video would not guarantee “full accessibility”. Use your own best judgment. Always be aware of and respect the diverse access needs of different individuals.
• This video does not contain any business promotion elements.
• Software, programmes, and operating systems are constantly and rapidly developing along with changing accessibility functions. Statements in this video about the functions of any software, programmes, and operating systems may no longer represent their current status.
• It is possible that the hyperlinks of the cited resources in this video might be edited or removed by the corresponding contributors after the publication of this video.
• The recommended practices in this video are basically about accessibility to people with disabilities. However, the practices are central to good teaching and learning practices and will benefit all users regardless of disability status.