Topics Map > Services > Accessibility and Universal Design
Topics Map > Services > Teaching, Learning and Classrooms > Assistive Technology
Accessibility
Below is an overview of the accessibility resources at NDSU.
Overview
Accessibility is an essential component of Universal Design for Learning which focuses on removing learning barriers for all students. Accessibility in higher education ensures that all persons, including those with significant disabilities, are provided equitable access to digital content and opportunities to receive effective educational services, with the needed support services.
Getting Started
- This KB article introduces some basic considerations to help you create accessible digital content.
Best Practices
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Creating an inclusive digital content is essential for ensuring accessibility to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. To achieve this, adhering to best practices for accessibility is crucial. Begin by providing headings, alternative text, descriptive links, formatting tables, video captions and color contrast.
Learn More/How To's
Headings
- Improve Accessibility with Heading Styles
- WebAIM: PowerPoint Accessibility
- Blackboard - Adding Headings in the Text Editor
Image Descriptions - Alternative Text (Alt Text)
- Everything You Need to Know to Write Effective Alt Text
- Add Alt Text - Word and PowerPoint
- Anthology Ally - Adding Alt Text and Images
Descriptive Links
Formatting Tables
- Create Accessible Tables in Word - YouTube (1:59)
- Accessible Tables in PowerPoint (WebAIM)
- Create an Accessible Table in Blackboard - YouTube (5:32)
Video Captions and Text Transcriptions
- Captions and Transcripts (WebAIM)
- Captioning for Live & Recorded Web Conferencing Sessions (Zoom, YuJa, Teams at NDSU)
- Add Subtitles & Captions on YouTube
Color and Contrast
- Fix Text Contrast (Anthology Ally)
- Accessible Contrast, Colors, and Backgrounds
- WCAG Color Contrast Checker
FAQs
- Coming Soon!
Use Cases
- Creating course content
- Creating departmental documents and resources
- Providing closed captioning and text transcripts for virtual meeting attendees
Universal Design/Accessibility
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and digital accessibility both seek to increase learning access and reduce barriers for students. Integrating guidelines and strategies for into course activities, meetings, discussions, and interaction with students, staff, and faculty provides a welcoming message that all are included.