Accessibility in K12 Tech

Tech Tip Tuesday (September 25, 2023)

Let's work together! Choose a time that works with you!

Not just for those who need it.

Yes, PK-12 schools in Illinois are required to make their websites and digital content accessible under state and federal laws like IDEA, Section 504, and ADA.

The standard they must follow is WCAG 2.0 AA. This outlines specific criteria for making web content perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for all users.

Common problems that create barriers include lack of captions for multimedia, poor color contrast, ineffective link text, and non-descriptive headings.

Fixing accessibility issues not only benefits students with disabilities, but improves usability for everyone. Schools can use online tools to check accessibility and get guidance on resolving problems.

With proper implementation of accessibility standards and testing, schools can make great strides in ensuring more inclusive learning environments through a UDL lens that can benefit everyone in the classroom!

Font and Color Accessibility

Consider using the following fonts to assist with ease of reading for those with vision impairments:

Verdana (sans serif)
Tahoma (sans serif)
Arial (sans serif)
Georgia (serif)
Palatino (serif)
Book Antiqua (serif)
Helvetica (sans serif)
Open Dyslexic (weighted letter bottoms provide recognition & reading flow

In general, sans serif fonts with generous proportions, spacing and contrast tend to be most accessible. Offering a choice of highly legible fonts accommodates different vision abilities and reading preferences.

Try out the following tips to ensure color accessibility:

Use high contrast text and background colors to optimize readability for visually impaired. Follow WCAG standards.
Don't convey meaning through color alone. Add text or symbols to support color blind users.
Allow customization of color settings like text and background hues.
Make print materials legible without color, in grayscale.
Provide color descriptions for images, graphics and videos.
Identify interactive elements like links and buttons through more than just color.
Use distinct symbols and patterns, not just color, in charts, graphs and science imagery.

Directions and Headings

Clear step-by-step directions help students with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments understand and complete tasks. Concise, organized instructions reduce confusion. Directions presented in multiple formats - like text plus images/videos - reinforce understanding for diverse learning styles. Structuring directions into numbered steps or bullet points makes them easier to follow and refer back to when needed. Try MagicSchool AI's Clear Directions tool to help clarify your instructions!

Headings provide orienting context about what content follows. Descriptive headings (not just "Section 1") convey meaning to blind users via screen readers. Well-organized headings create a logical document structure and reading order, simplifying navigation. Headings break up dense text into more manageable chunks which aids reading comprehension.Users can quickly scan for sections relevant to their needs when skimming a document. Headings allow screen reader and keyboard users to jump between sections for improved usability.

Tips with Google for Education

Use different built-in accessibility tools like screen readers, voice typing, captions for Slides, and many others!

Check it out here!

Schedule a time for me to come into your classroom or planning time!

Google Earth

Tool Highlight

open_in_new zoom_out_map

One of the great things about Google Earth is that it can be used by a variety of content area teachers, including history, math, science, ELA, PE, and beyond. Teachers can use the built-in learning resources to explore human origins, migration, historical landmarks, distance and measurement, weather and climate patterns, ecology, sports, and more. There's also no end to creative applications teachers could invent, like having students explore areas covered in class novels, addressed in current events, or mentioned in textbooks or other learning materials. Google Earth is so fast and easy to use, it can be used to give students an instant illustration of a particular place.

Google Earth comes with many built-in options like the Voyager mode, classroom activities, and links to other credible resources. Some even include student worksheets, saving teachers lots of time. There are dozens of Google Earth groups on social media if teachers are interested in using the platform but are unsure of how or where to start.