Design principles and assistive tools

This video is about accessibility design principles and assistive tools for creating and using digital materials for teaching and learning. Examples related to three situations are covered: 1) adjusting the presentation of content; 2) preparing and using alternative formats for perceiving content through different senses; and 3) navigating and interacting with the materials.

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:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:03:30 Overview of approaches
• 00:05:26 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• 00:10:07 Adjusting the presentation of content
• 00:10:30 Use of colours
• 00:17:12 Visual appearance of the text
• 00:28:57 Hyperlinks
• 00:33:44 Audio-visuals
• 00:36:34 Alternative presentation styles of the same set of information
• 00:43:16 Content structure and arrangement
• 00:48:25 Preparing and using alternative formats
• 00:52:22 Navigating and interacting with the materials
• 01:00:15 Concluding remarks
• 01:00:52 Disclaimer

Suggested citation:

Ma, G. Y. K., Choi, C., & Yeung, P. P. S. (2023). Design principles and assistive tools. [Video]. IDEALeaders Self-learning Series: Co-creation of virtual learning accessibility. HKU Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.22967747

Virtual Learning Accessibility Toolkit: PDF version and Website version

References listed in the video:

• Fonts, Typography, and Accessibility.
• Google Fonts Knowledge – Readability and accessibility.
• The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) document: Accessibility Principles. Shadi Abou-Zahra, ed. Status: Updated 10 May 2019. https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-principles/
• The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) document: Diverse Abilities and Barriers in How People with Disabilities Use the Web. Shadi Abou-Zahra, ed. Copyright © 2017 W3C® (MIT, ERCIM, Keio). Status: Updated 15 May 2017. https://www.w3.org/WAI/people-use-web/abilities-barriers/
• The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) document: Tools and Techniques in How People with Disabilities Use the Web. Shadi Abou-Zahra, ed; Judy Brewer, previous ed. Copyright © 2017 W3C® (MIT, ERCIM, Keio). Status: Updated 15 May 2017. https://www.w3.org/WAI/people-use-web/tools-techniques/

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.