Has anyone ever stated their assistive technology for read aloud is faulty?
The assistive technology was then tested and no fault could be found, but the user still was determined it did not work for them?
Inaccessible documents being accessed with read aloud software can make it seem as though the assistive technology is faulty. If the read aloud software cannot access the content it is expected to read out, nothing will happen or it may read out what seems like nonsense. One thing is for sure it is not behaving as expected.
Inaccessible documents caused issues for student utilising assistive technology such as read aloud and screen readers within Fife College. This has led to work being carried out to ensure both the college website and documents being more accessible. As well as a drive to meet the current accessibility legislation.
Training has been devised for all staff throughout the college, on creating accessible documents, emails and social media content. A group of staff was created to devise a policy on accessibility. This is currently in progress. Accessibility testing of the college website is carried out once a month.
This has improved accessible content being available, and also ensures greater compliance with accessibility regulations. Accessibility also applies to documents in paper form. Scanning pens, which read aloud the text on paper can also only access accessible content.
The first training offered was for the main two documents used, Word and PowerPoint. This would offer the widest benefit to the most staff and students. Communication was targeted next for emails and social media. There is training being devised for Excel, Sway, One Note and PDFs. Awareness raising of assistive technology use is also being devised for staff. It is hoped this will allow a greater understanding of why accessible content is required for staff and students using assistive technology. Reducing the concept, it is only a tick box exercise to comply with legislation.
The main benefit is students being able to work independently and access their assistive technology. Instances of waiting on accessible content being created from existing documents, or requiring human support to access the inaccessible content have been reduced.
It is hoped that this will not only improve outcomes for students using assistive technology, some of which has been provided by the generous funding from the Karten Network. Reducing frustration for staff and students is also hoped to be a positive benefit of providing this training. Accessibility is an on-going process, the training is now mandatory as accessibility is every member of staffs responsibility.
Further information
- Microsoft has further information on creating accessible documents Accessibility Resources & Training | Microsoft Accessibility
- Adobe has further information on creating accessible PDFs Create and verify PDF accessibility, Acrobat Pro (adobe.com)
- Current accessibility regulations The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
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- This article was written by the Fife College Karten Centre
- Featured in the Karten Newsletter
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