Do academics ignore the difficulties that visually impaired students face while accessing vle content?

O'Reilly, D. (2010) Do academics ignore the difficulties that visually impaired students face while accessing vle content? [Conference Proceedings]

Abstract

As academics increase their use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) to deliver content to their students, the needs of visually impaired students are being overlooked. The incorrect usage of VLEs is resulting in many visually impaired students being disadvantaged. This is happening despite the emphasis on equal access for all to higher education. If the electronic content that is uploaded onto Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) is intended to be used by students about whom no presumptions of visual ability can be made, then accessibility must be guaranteed for all users. This paper shows that the majority of accessibility problems that exist for visually impaired students result from academics not using the guidelines that are available. The reasons as to why academics do not follow any guidelines are probed. This paper is based on the quantitative analysis of a survey conducted on 52 academics from nine Irish Institute of Technology in November 2009.

Information
URI:
https://eprints.teachingandlearning.ie/id/eprint/3489
Title:
Do academics ignore the difficulties that visually impaired students face while accessing vle content?
Authors:
O'Reilly, D.
Official URL:
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0...
Date:
2010
Additional Information:
Conference code: 89098; Export Date: 23 February 2015; Correspondence Address: O'Reilly, D.; Dundalk Institute of TechnologyIreland; email: derek.oreilly@dkit.ie; References: (2005) Introduction to Web Accessibility, , http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php, cited 28 November 2007; Nielsen, J., (2000) Designing Web Usability, , Indiana: New Riders; (2005) Disability Act 2005 Section 28, , http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0014/sec0028.html, Office-of-the-Attorney-General, cited; (2006) Equality Act 2006, , http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060003.htm, Office-of-Public-Information, cited; (2007) ITAW, , http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm7FuseAction=Content&ID=12, cited, Section 508; (2007) Design for All, , http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/policy/ accessibility/dfa/indexen.htm, e-Inclusion, cited; O'Reilly, D., Flood, M., Combining accessibility and credibility in website design (2008) International Journal of Web Based Communities, 4 (1); Flood, M., O'Reilly, D., (2006) Guidelines for Website Design for All Users, in Web Based Communities, , IADIS Publishing: San Sebastian, Spain; (2007) HiSoftware, , http://www.cynthiasays.com/, cited; Thatcher, J., Bohman, P., Burks, M., Lawton Henry, S., Regan, B., Swierenga, S., Urban, M., Waddell, C., (2002) Constructing Accessible Web Sites, , Birmingham: Glasshaus; (2007) Microsoft Word Acsessibility, , http://www.webaim.org/techniques/word/, [cited 26 November 2007]; (2007) Microsoft Word Accessibility, , http://www.webaim.org/techniques/word/http://www.webaim.org/techniques/ acrobat/htmlalt.php, [cited 26 November 2007]; (2007) Downloads Make Accessible Plug-in, , http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?hexID=88de, cited; Hoffman, B., Hartley, K., Boone, R., Reaching accessibility: Guidelines for creating and refining digital learning materials (2005) Technology Trends, 40 (3); (2007) Accessibility Features in Excel, , http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP051984341033.aspx, Online, M.O., cited
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Accessibility; Internet; VLE; Access for all; Accessibility problems; Electronic content; Higher education; Virtual learning environments; Visual abilities; Visually impaired students; Computer aided instruction; E-learning; Websites; Students
Library
Item Type:
Conference Proceedings
Depositing User:
National Forum
Date Deposited:
09 Dec 2015 08:54
Revision:
2
Last Modified:
09 Dec 2015 08:54
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