Module 1, Lesson 1: "Accessibility" means...

When online content is "Accessible," it means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to:

Student and interpreter

  • acquire the same information,
  • engage in the same interactions, and
  • enjoy the same services

as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

The person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as fully, equally and independently as a person without a disability. Although this might not result in identical ease of use compared to that of persons without disabilities, it still must ensure equal opportunity to the educational benefits and opportunities afforded by the technology and equal treatment in the use of such technology (adapted from Resolution Agreement, South Carolina Technical College System, OCR Compliance Review No. 11-11-6002).

Designing with accessibility in mind allows students with disabilities to enjoy the freedom, flexibility, and independence that online learning and online administrative content offer.

 

Next: Module 1, Lesson 2: How are certain disabilities impacted by online learning?

Back to Module 1 menu: Defining online accessibility and why it's important