JISC TechDis and Online Accessibility Self Evaluation

The NEW Online Accessibility Self Evaluation Service tool can be found at www.techdis.ac.uk/getOASES.

The JISC TechDis online accessibility self evaluation service rolled out in January 2009 with a series of online surveys supported by JISC TechDis online presentations. These were targeted at managers in the following role groups:

• senior manager;
• network manager;
• staff developer/learning technologist;
• additional learning support manager/head of disability support;
• marketing manager, and
• library manager.

In total, 97 organisations including HE, FE and other learning providers took part. Click here to see the reports and summaries from the online accessibility self assessments. See also background to the self evaluation service which explores the characteristics of different approaches.

The purpose of the self evaluation service was to provide institutions with a quick, free and anonymous way of gauging their accessibility practices compared to widely accepted 'reasonable adjustment' recommendations ... as well as the actual practices of other institutions. Teaching institutions and learning providers can either create or demolish barriers to access in a number of technology-related ways including:

• Website;
• Marketing materials;
• Application and admissions;
• Learner resources;
• Virtual learning environment;
• Network;
• Software available to users;
• Hardware and alternative interfaces;
• Training and induction.

Although the first series of online accessibility self evaluations attracted very positive feedback from participants, several institutions expressed a desire to be able to do the survey 'on demand' or work with a team of different colleagues at the same time. To better support this, we are revamping the service to create an entirely autonomous process where - with video support - you can get appropriate background information, complete the survey, get relevant sources of guidance and compare your practice to that of others at whatever time suits you or your teams.
 
The new service will launch in November 2009.

What did previous delegates say?“
I am now on a mission…. got some good practice but lots to take forward - great session”.
“Just want to say thanks - you've opened our eyes to what we should be doing!”
“I’m going to ensure links to JISC TechDis go onto teacher training course sites; contact IT support about downloading AccessApps and promoting it to course directors…contact website manager re: accessibility options (or lack of it)”.