200x
Week 1
Three main topics covered this week: Ethical Considerations in Instructional Design,
Accessibility/Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Artificial Intelligence.
I have chosen to focus this assignment on Accessibility/Universal Design for Learning (UDL) because I have some working experience with an organization for people living with disabilities and I believe that this is one of communities that instructional design can benefit the most.
Overview
In this week's materials, "accessibility" was at the top of the list for ethical considerations relevant to instructional designers, and it is also a legal requirement according to the ADA in the US and similar laws in other countries.
UDL, or Universal Design for Learning, is an educational framework that aims to create flexible and inclusive learning environments by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression to accommodate diverse learner needs and preferences.
Key Learnings
HOW can an ID create and deliver educational content that is inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities?
To accommodates individuals with visual impairments:
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provide alternative text for images, using readable fonts and colors
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ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies
To accommodates individuals with hearing impairments:
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include closed captions or transcripts to make video content
To accommodate individuals with cognitive disabilities:
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simplify language and instructions, offering clear navigation, and avoiding cluttered or distracting layouts
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provide multiple means of representation and engagement
Delivery platforms and technologies used in online learning are also important factors in accessibility.
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LMS's and e-learning software should be chosen or customized with accessibility in mind
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compatibility with keyboard navigation, screen readers, and other assistive technologies is crucial
Implications
I assess that a good deal more time and knowledge is required to ensure that Instructional Design content and delivery is accessible to the widest range of learners and meet UDL guidelines. However, I believe that the outcome will benefit ALL learners regardless of ability by increasing the capacity to more easily work with learning content.
There are, of course, legal implications if course content does not meet ADA guidelines.
I have found several sources that can help guide ID's in their work:
Additional Sources:
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
Free Accessibility Assessment for PDFs
ADA: What are a public or private college-university's