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Learn best practices for accessibility

April 11, 2019 by Web Strategy and Development

Join us for the 2019 Web Accessibility Summit, a conference about all things website accessibility for professionals in higher education and beyond, hosted this year by Missouri State University.

Details

When: May 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Missouri State University, Glass Hall
Cost: $40

Workshops and track sessions will focus on how to make your web presence more accessible with technical and non-technical solutions. Networking opportunities will encourage sharing of information and resources with colleagues from around the state.

Missouri State faculty and staff should register through My Learning Connection. You may use your noncredit fee waiver to cover conference registration costs.

Non-MSU faculty and staff can register now.

Seating is limited so don’t delay.

Organizers

Several Missouri higher education institutions are organizing this event:

University of Missouri logo. St. Louis Community College Missouri State University logo. Missouri State University - West Plains logo. Truman State University logo. Missouri University of Science and Technology logo. A.T. Still University logo. University of Missouri-Kansas City logo.

Filed Under: News, Web Strategy and Development Tagged With: a11ysummit, Accessibility, conference, News, Technical, Training, Web Press, Web Strategy and Development

Learn accessibility tips at on-campus conferences

April 9, 2019 by

Two events bring experts to your doorstep

You’re invited to attend two conferences happening in Glass Hall:

May 29: Web Accessibility Summit

  • Exploring digital accessibility in higher education and beyond
  • Ideal for web, digital and accessibility professionals; faculty and instructional designers
  • Registration closes May 17

May 30-31: MO AHEAD Conference

  • Focusing on ACCESS in higher education
  • Designed for faculty and staff supporting students with disabilities online and in-person
  • Registration closes May 24

Register through My Learning Connection

Search for “accessibility” to find the events. Get help with registration.

Presentation about Missouri accessibility standards

Why you should attend

Discover methods for supporting all students and users

Come away with strategies that improve outcomes. Learn techniques that make your online and in-person materials work for everyone.

Attend for free (lunch included)

Faculty and staff may use their noncredit fee waiver for registration. This includes lunch on all three days. Register for each event through My Learning Connection.

Learn face-to-face from experts

Access experts without having to travel. The schedules are packed with sessions, including the following:

  • Workshop with Derek Featherstone, international authority on accessibility and inclusive design
  • Keynote with Melanie Thornton, coordinator of access and equity outreach for the University of Arkansas

Document your commitment to diversity and inclusion

These events support the university’s goal for inclusive excellence. Show your support by attending.

Attendees networking at Web Accessibility Summit

Filed Under: News Tagged With: conference, disability, Training, website accessibility

Recap: Making Your Statement in a Digital World

February 25, 2019 by Web Strategy and Development

Web strategy and development staff members Kai Raymer and Erika Brame delivered a half-day training session Feb. 8 on digital marketing.

Whether you attended or couldn’t make it this time, here’s a recap and a chance to download slides and view video from Making Your Statement in a Digital World.

Key takeaways

Readability

Readability: The ease with witch a person can understand written content.

  • Two keys for readability: Concise text and scannable layout.
    • Use simple words and short sentences. Use headings so people and software can scan your content.
  • Write inverted pyramid style, not chronologically. Put the most important information near the top of your story, content and/or website.
  • Tools like Hemingway App and Yoast SEO can gauge and test the readability of your content.
  • Aim for a 6th-to-8th grade reading level for your content. Most people read at that level.
  • Prioritize what goes on your website. Don’t clutter. The more content and links you have, the less important everything becomes.
  • Know that readable content can help you:
    • Reach more people
    • Increase what they understand
    • Get them to act
    • Save money
  • No one wants to put extra effort into reading. Even smart people (deans, department heads, graduate students etc.).

Download readability slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Social media

  • 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.
  • Facebook ads can be helpful but use with a strategy for want you want to accomplish.
  • Third party platforms can help teams collaborate and offer insightful analytics.
  • Keep it simple. Not everything goes viral and that’s ok. Keep interacting with the audience.

Download social media slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Accessibility

Accessibility helps people with disabilities or limited abilities better use the web.

  • Think of your website as a public space. Make accommodations for all users.
  • Not following accessibility standards could lead to lawsuits or legal trouble. Higher education websites are often targeted for accessibility issues.
    • Following accessibility standards will make your website better. You’ll improve SEO and reach more people.
  • Three staples of accessibility: alt text, headings and descriptive links.
    • Alt text is the text equivalent of a photo. Imagine you were describing the image to someone via text message or phone call.
    • Headings are vital for screen readers and give all visitors an easy outline of your website.
    • Descriptive links explain what the link offers. You shouldn’t have to read surrounding content for context. Don’t write “click here” for your links.
  • Use tools like WAVE and the Web Press accessibility checker. They’ll find accessibility issues on your website.
  • Follow our ongoing Accessibility blog series for the latest tips and strategies.

Download accessibility slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Video

  • 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 on 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.
  • Start thinking of ways you can add video to your workflow. Start slow and make goals for yourself for when and how often you want to post videos.
  • Don’t backlight your subject. Let the natural light work for you, not against you.

Download video slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Watch on Zoom

For the first time, we live streamed the training through Zoom.

Watch the replay

Filed Under: News, Web Strategy and Development Tagged With: Accessibility, brand, content, marketing, News, Redesign, Social Media, Training

Serving Students With Autism

September 28, 2018 by Melissa Berry

Person taking notes on paper

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.

Filed Under: Diversity and inclusion, News Tagged With: autism, professional development, Training

Document accessibility training on Sept. 18 and Nov. 2

August 6, 2018 by Web Strategy and Development

Training session in Cheek 100 technology training center

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:

  • 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18
  • 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 2

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.

Filed Under: Access Technology Center, News Tagged With: document, Microsoft Office, Training

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