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A m e r i c a n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s A c t ( A D A )

› ADA Background› Designing ADA complaint

Instructional Messages› Examples› Summary› Next Steps

Agenda

Did you know…

History of ADA

ADA definition of a Disability

Disabilities that affect Learners

› Properly designed messages should accommodate all students needs

› Employ Universal Instructional Design– Include alternatives to make it

accessible and applicable to students with different backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities

Keeping ADA in mind…

ADA vs UID

› Accommodate on a case-by-case

› Individual accommodations needed

› Accommodations made after content is developed

› Extra work required during delivery

› Reduce barriers for all

› Few individual accommodations needed

› Inclusive delivery built in as content is developed

› Minimal extra work during delivery

Design Considerations

Text Presentation

› Avoid using very small font sizes

› Use large, high contrast text to help students with low vision.

Image and Text

› If you include an image, add an alternative text label for that image via the “Format Picture” option.

Color Presentation

› Follow Tufte’s (1990) principles of using color– Bright and

strong colors– Contrasting

light– Colors in

backgrounds– Unifying colors

› Use text for hyperlinks that make sense when read out of context; avoid "click here"

› Accommodate students with learning disabilities by organizing information– Blocks of texts – Headings

Content and Organization

› Imagine conducting a workshop on the importance of ADA compliance in the workplace and you show a video...

Example

› Background images are not properly organized

› Text is not consistent and sometimes too small

› It does not have an audio component

Violations of ADA

› To accommodate learners who are visually impaired:– Enhanced verbal descriptions– Presentation outlines include

text– Video presentations include

audio

Summary

› Designing Instructional Messages– ADA and classroom instruction– UCONN ADA Fact Sheet– ADA Official Website

› Blackboard’s self-paced accessibility course– Universal Design and Accessibi

lity

External Resources