Creating accessible courses is extremely critical. Accessible course content facilitates equity in students' learning experiences at UNO, enabling all students to work and learn without unnecessary barriers. Further, accessibility is a civil right and the law. It is our ongoing mission at UNO to provide and maintain accessible options in all aspects of university life.

Three Important Reminders

1: Do a Status Check
Let all your students know that the switch to online classes is an opportunity to update you if they have any new needs or unexpected challenges that need consideration. What may have worked for students in person may not work online.

2: Syllabus Statement
Makes sure ASC accommodation statement is included on syllabus in Canvas: Reasonable accommodations are provided for students who are registered with Accessibility Services Center (ASC) and make their requests sufficiently in advance. For more information, contact ASC (Location: 104 H&K, Phone: 402.554.2872, Email: unoaccessibility@unomaha.edu.)

3: Continue Providing Accommodations
Accommodations may shift as a course is taught online. For example, if a student has access to notes and course materials, this should transition to the online platform. Recorded lectures and captioning of recordings do not replace class notes provided to students. An idea for Universal Instructional Design is to post notes and have students add to a note page in Canvas so all students benefit from access. Teachers would have to add students as editors to that page at the bottom of the page. Only one student can edit a time however. A Google Doc or Box Note is also an option to allow multiple students collaborate at the same time. Consult with ASC if there are questions regarding the shift of certain accommodations.

Closed Captioning

The most straightforward and accurate way to caption is to use YuJa. By requesting captioning, professional and ADA compliant captions will be added to your content within 24 hours. If you are using Zoom for synchronous delivery, it is strongly advised that you record your session, upload to YuJa, and request captions using the same process.

If you are in CBA and using Echo360, consult the CBA Operations Department for processes and next steps. Automated captions created in Echo360 and Zoom are not sufficient for accessibility purposes.

Interpreters/Notetakers

Interpreters
If a student needs an interpreter, an interpreter can easily be added to a Zoom meeting to provide that service virtually. Contact the ASC to request an interpreter.

Notetakers
Recorded lectures and captioning of recordings do not replace class notes provided to students. Make course notes available in Canvas, a Google Doc, or Box Note to allow student access.

If you have an interpreter or notetaker that needs access to Canvas, contact the Digital Learning team.

Extra Time/Flexible Dates

Canvas provides a streamline process to add additional time for individual students to complete exams and quizzes in accordance with their accommodation plan. Canvas can also customize due dates per student on any assignment to allow for additional time. When adding extended time for an approved accommodation, simply multiply the original duration by the extended time percentage. If students have “rest breaks during exams” on their plan, please allow 200% time while operating in remote teaching and learning mode.

Other Tips

For students who are blind or have low visibility, narrate the material that you’re displaying visually on the screen. Just as you might read materials aloud in class, read screen material that you share on-screen just in case students are not able to see essential text.
Consider making discussion questions available in advance in Canvas, etc. so that students can access the questions if screen sharing does not work.
Keep the link to the Zoom room you’re using for your students in a central place on your course Canvas site. Help them know how to find your “office” (just as you might offer them directions to your office on-campus).
Utilize an online course design review by the DL team.
Ensure any scanned pdf files have been converted to text.

Accessibility Services Center Resources

The following videos have been developed by UNO's Accessibility Services Center to provide additional context and resources into an element of accessibility. We encourage you to view the videos in sequence for a comprehensive understanding of accessibility, however content will standalone with some prior knowledge.

More information can be found on the ASC's Faculty and Staff Resource page.

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