"How to" Accessibility Guides for Students and Instructors
From ATHEN
"How to" Accessibility Guides for Blackboard Students and Instructors
Accessibility help on Blackboard For students:
Introduction:
Introduce briefly the overall layout of the interface, names and number of the frames used, resizing the frames, the portal features, re-ordering of the modules with keyboard, tab panels and identifying the active tab, module settings, how to move to other pages, use of breadcrumb instead of browser back button or Refresh, expandable/collapsible menus, color contrast, font resizing, and other key accessibility features.
To avoid any potential disappointment, clearly state that due to nature of some modules, it was not possible to make everything accessible in this version but bb-design team is working hard to make them accessible in future releases. It is also necessary to mention that due to the limitation of assistive technologies an alternative interface for Grade Center module has been designed to accommodate screen reader users. It is very important to acknowledge that the alternative interface is not a good solution and at this time it is not very effective interface. I always recommend to be honest up front.
Note: This help file is not specific to any particular assistive technology. Assistive technologies have their own means to utilize the accessibility features supported in this version. Please consult your assistive technology manuals how to utilize these accessibility features.
1. Common accessibility features
- Describe the overall layout of the BB framework, e.g. Header and Content frames, what information each frame contains, how the upper frame can be minimized and reset using both keyboard and mouse.
- Explain clearly the general accessibility features
- Introduce on-screen and off-screen headings and how some AT like screen reader programs can use these headings to navigate within a page. Mention also that some browsers like Opra have heading navigation support built in the browser.
- Describe how user can navigate to a tab panel and how to identify the selected tab.
- Describe the how user can resize the fonts while the page still reflows.
- Describe how user can apply high-contrast.
- List any shortcut keys applicable across all the application.
2. Portal accessibility features
- Explain how the portal page looks like
- Introduce all on-screen and off-screen headings on this page and explain items belonging to each section.
- Re-iterate identifying the selected tab
- Describe Module re-ordering with keyboard and walk them through an example, e.g. moving the Course module to upper left column.
- Explain expandable/collapsible menus in the portal page.
- Explain how user can hide undesired modules from their interface and how they can include them back to the portal page.
- List any shortcut keys specific to the portal page.
3. Course home page
- Describe how this page is structured and visually looks like.
- Introduce all on-screen and off-screen headings on this page and explain items belonging to each section.
- Explain expandable/collapsible menus in this portal page and how they can be customized for a cleaner interface.
- Explain the idea with Breadcrumb (current location) and how to use it. Mention that user should avoid using browser back or refresh buttons.
- Explain the idea with Edit on/off.
- List any shortcut keys specific to this page
4. Assessments
To be added later.
5. discussion board
To be added later
5. Grade Center
To be added later.
Other:
- List of Keyboard shortcuts in using Blackboard
- How to access key blackboard features using the keyboard
- How to enlarge fonts with Blackboard and other tips for the visually impaired
- How to understand the layout of Blackboard for those with Learning Disabilties.
Instructor
- How to Format Accessible Microsoft Word Document for Blackboard
- How to Format Microsoft Powerpoint files to post on Blackboard
- How to Format Accessible PDF files for Blackboard
- How to Label graphics with descriptive text in Blackboard
- How to Simplify the interface for those with Learning and other disabilities
