Widening Participation
If you are considering using innovative technologies or e–learning as tool to reach non-traditional learners, JISC TechDis can help by demonstrating through case studies and exemplars the use of these new technologies and different techniques which in turn we hope will encourage the development of inclusive curricula.
Case Studies
In 2006 JISC TechDis worked with the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre Network to run the
Higher Education Assistive Technology (HEAT) Scheme. The scheme allowed Higher Education Institutions to bid for technologies to be used in innovative ways to support teaching and learning. The scheme resulted in 18 projects covering the use of multimedia (such as podcasts and video), assistive technologies (such as the Tactile Talking Tablet used in conjunction with tactile diagrams) and more mainstream technologies (such as the Nintendo DS and mind mapping software). Three rounds of the HEAT scheme have now been funded. In 2006-7 and 2007-8 the scheme was jointly funded by the JISC TechDis service and the Higher Education Academy. In 2008-9 the scheme has been funded by JISC's capital fund and extended to further projects in Wales and Northern Ireland by the Higher Education Academy.
JISC TechDis also have a number of
Articles and
Case Studies covering a range of topics such as e-learning, learning support and assistive technology.
Resources
JISC TechDis offer a variety of resources designed to provide guidance on the creation of accessible e-learning resources, including the use of mobile learning devices.
Employer engagement
Employer engagement initiatives should recognise that many employers are now concerned about the new legislation with regard to embedding equality & diversity, and particularly what is best practice in relation to the use of Technology and accessibility. JISC TechDis have produced guidance as to issues such as the need to produce
accessible marketing materials or providing senior management with toolkits to look upon accessibility as giving a return on their investments.
JISC TechDis Senior Managers Briefing Series
Although written for senior management within FE colleges, the briefing series contains useful information on a number of relevant topics such as developing a practical Disability Equality Scheme and producing accessible marketing materials.
Everyday technology
For those staff who may never be involved with e-learning or using web technologies within their work, the
JISC TechDis Accessibility Essentials is designed to give practical, step-by-step guidance to using everyday technologies more accessibly.
Accessibility Essentials 1: Making Electronic Documents More Readable shows the reader how to alter the appearance of an existing document to suit them, and covers Microsoft® Word and Internet Explorer, Adobe® Reader and Mozilla Firefox.
Accessibility Essentials 2: Writing Accessible Electronic Documents with Microsoft® Word outlines the techniques people need to ensure the writing of accessible electronic information. This document will concentrate on guidance for Microsoft® Word.
Accessibility Essentials 3: Creating Accessible Presentations provides information on the creation of accessible presentations, both for projection and wider use (for example, when a presentation is made available online) along with hints and tips on how to present to an audience in an accessible manner. This document focuses on the use of Microsoft® PowerPoint.
Accessibility Essentials 4: Making the Most of PDFs provides step-by-step information to enable anyone creating Portable Document Format (PDF) documents do so in a more accessible manner. These hints and tips will benefit those who create PDF documents using scanned materials or word processed documents, or receive a PDF version of publicity materials from a graphic designer.
