Accessibility Updates

Serving Students With Autism

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On Sept. 14, the office of the provost and student affairs co-sponsored a professional development opportunity promoting accessibility in our campus community. Two consultants from the College Autism Network, Dr. Lee Burdette Williams and Dr. Bradley Cox, facilitated a joint session entitled: Serving Students With Autism — Strategies for Inclusion, Engagement and Success.

Three takeaways from the presentation

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a hard-wired, brain-based difference, not a disease or disorder to be “cured,” but differences to be understood and supported.
  • The common characteristics of ASD are not moral failings.
  • Students with ASD want to learn and succeed, and have overcome tremendous odds to be in college in the first place.

For additional information on the presentation and neurodiversity, review the attached PowerPoint presentation.

Document accessibility training on Sept. 18 and Nov. 2

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The Disability Resource Center/Access Technology Center will be hosting free document accessibility training sessions.

The training sessions will focus on basic accessibility for digital documents and communication. We will discuss the importance of each standard and demonstrate how to resolve common accessibility issues. We will focus on Microsoft Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Session dates and times

These sessions are not a series, so participants will not need to sign up for multiple dates. All training sessions will be in Cheek 100 on the following dates:

Registration

Space is limited due to the number of the computers in the room. Please register through My Learning Connection.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristeena LaRoue.

Fall 2018 Web Accessibility Clinic and Web Press training schedule announced

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The fall 2018 Web Accessibility Clinic and Web Press training schedule have been released.

Web Accessibility Clinic

Learn how to identify and fix accessibility issues with your website. We will review the five most common issues affecting accessibility–and search engine results–on your website. Held on GAAD in May and early in the fall and spring semesters, the fall 2018 clinic will be held at the following time:

  • Friday, August 31, 2018, 1 – 2 p.m., Siceluff 411

Web Press training sessions

Sessions will be held at the following times:

  • Thursday, August 16, 2018, 1 – 3 p.m., Cheek 100
  • Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Library 106
  • Tuesday, September 4, 2018, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Cheek 100

Advance registration is required.

Self-guided training

Self-guided training modules are available at any time. In-person assistance is available during weekly open lab sessions held every Friday 2:00 – 4:00. Telephone and email support is available weekdays at 417-836-5271 and webpress@missouristate.edu.

Update on textbook initiatives

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Work has continued on both the affordability and accessibility of materials used by our students since the president’s announcement last spring of our five major affordability initiatives.  The bookstore has worked diligently and collaboratively with our faculty to secure agreements and resources that will enable our faculty to provide high-quality textbook materials that are both accessible and affordable for our students.

In terms of accessibility, this is just one effort tied to accessibility. It hopefully will help the university comply with changing regulations, along with other options under review tied to the accessibility of Blackboard and other information management systems.

Learn more about textbook affordability and accessibility

Recap: Making Your Statement in a Digital World – Sept. 29, 2017

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We recently presented Making Your Statement in a Digital World, a comprehensive training session for Missouri State website, blog and social media managers.

Still have questions or need help?

We’re hosting two post-training open labs, to answer your questions and provide support. Please join us. No preregistration is required.

Key details

  • Dates: Friday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Nov. 10
  • Time: 2-4 p.m., both dates
  • Location: Meyer Library 106 Cheek Hall 100
  • About: Both sessions will be held in conjunction with the Web Help Desk open lab.

Access the presentations

The Sept. 29 training session was presented in four parts.

wideshot of people walking on campus

Key takeaways

Readability

  • Use concise text and a scannable layout to make your content more readable. Put the most important information at the top.
  • Always ask, “how does this look on mobile?” Current and future students are researching your department/program on their phones.
  • Write less, people will read more. People will read more of a 300-word article than they will a 600-word article.
  • No one wants to put extra effort into reading. Seventy percent of people read at an intermediate (middle school) level. Newspapers aim for a 7th grade reading level.
  • Headings, bulleted lists and visual elements. Use them.
  • The YoastSEO plugin for WordPress is a great tool for improving your writing.
  • Improving your content readability has many benefits, including audience reach and audience action.

Blogging

  • Does your blog tell a story? Who is speaking in your story and how are you conveying that meaning? It’s important to start in the action and develop some sort of conflict that is resolved.
  • Be sure you are defining your audience; alumni, faculty, staff, and/or students?
  • Utilize the formatting strategies from readability while adding photography and pull quotes.
  • Update your blog with engaging stories at least once a month, if not more.

Students taking photo with Boomer

Accessibility

  • Accessibility means people with disabilities can use and navigate your website.
  • There are federal guidelines for accessibility. MSU, which receives federal funding, falls under WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
  • Think of your website as a public space (i.e. a courthouse or city hall). Make accommodations for all.
  • Accessibility overlaps with readability and best practices for websites. Having an accessible website means your website is better overall.
  • Alt text, headings and descriptive links are crucial for accessibility. Our Accessibility blog series also covers these topics, and more.

Social media and visual platforms

  • Share human – don’t be afraid to act like a human and interact with your audience one-on-one.
  • Set up a Facebook business account where people can find your contact information. Be prepared to respond to their questions.
  • Think visual – when on location for an event share raw photos, but when promoting the event utilize photo services to help boost your presence.
  • Video is king across all platforms. Be sure to add captioning for accessibility and to increase views.
  • Measure your success based off the goals your team sets: more followers, increased engagement, more views, etc. Keep a log of your analytics so you can compare data from previous years.

Students in computer lab