Key outputs
Key outputs
View the progress of the e-accessibility working group in 2024.
We aim to provide guidance and training across the University on meeting the 2018 regulations on digital accessibility. See the Training listed on the Digital Accessibility page.
The Digital Accessibility Tutorial is available to staff through the HR LMS (Learning Management System). Everyone is encouraged to complete this once a year to ensure you stay updated on the current regulations and ways to improve digital accessibility for everyone.
We run several projects to embed digital accessibility good practice in departments through working with staff and with student interns. We conduct user research workshops and other user experience research to inform our activities.
Outputs like the Captioning Policy adopted by the University remind academics that it is a requirement to provide accurate closed captions on pre-recordings.
Tools
Tools and practices for accessibility
![](/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/UoY_Academic Support Office - UX Session_UoY - event - 0000000030_January 2020 - Alex Holland-21-501x214.JPG)
One of the aims of the e-accessibility working group is to review, manage and recommend appropriate software requirements and licences to support e-accessibility across the University. Since the group started work in November 2018, we have acquired or installed the following:
- Siteimprove - Carries out automatic testing on the University website. (Note that user testing was also conducted.)
- Blackboard Ally - An accessibility checker for instructors using Blackboard. This also generates alternative formats for students and an accessibility report at an institution level.
- Mathtype - Mathtype licences allow instructors and students to type accessible maths in Microsoft Office.
We have also created a website for creating accessible equations:
Find out more about accessible tools and practices in our Digital Accessibility Skills Guide or our DigAcc A-Z.
Training
Training on digital accessibility
The group coordinates and plans training for all staff to ensure key accessibility principles are adopted when using digital systems. Training events are advertised on the e-accessibility calendar and include both internal and external events.
Awareness
A good starting point for anyone is to complete the online digital accessibility tutorial (available via HR LMS). This short interactive introduction to digital accessibility covers:
- the 2018 regulations,
- how to produce digital content that is universally accessible and
- how to make improvements that can help everyone.
Next, arrange a briefing for your team so that everyone is aware of how they can make improvements in relation to their areas of responsibility.
Workshop
You should also attend the training workshop, Creating Accessible Documents, or complete the self-access version with the slides on the page. You can make arrangements for your team to receive a bespoke version of the workshop. Contact it-support@york.ac.uk.
Change your practice
Finally, talk to people in your team and those around you about digital accessibility:
Making the internet a fairer place requires all of us to get involved! See Leading accessible practice in your department, inclusive teaching and learning and Empowering learners.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology
The E-accessibility working group is undertaking an audit of the assistive technology and equipment available for disabled staff and students.
Part of this work includes promoting good practice with the tools we already have (Microsoft Office Accessibility checker, Grackle, Blackboard Ally, Texthelp Read&Write, Texthelp EquatIO etc.). Another aspect is to evaluate and champion for the most effective tools for the users who need them (see the Tools tab). Finally, we need to ensure our staff and learners know how to maximise the technology at their disposal to cater for their needs.
Links for this tab:
![A staff and a student looking at Zoomtext screen magnifier functions together. A staff and a student looking at Zoomtext screen magnifier functions together.](/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/digitalaccessibility/zoomtext.png)
Champions
Department and Team Champions
A champion in your team or department can help to:
- Ensure all staff are aware of the accessibility regulations
- Promote the Digital Accessibility Tutorial and Creating Accessible Documents workshops
- Promote the regular monthly meetup where people can help each other to resolve sticky issues
- Promote assistive technologies for use by staff and students in the department eg Blackboard Ally, Texthelp etc
- Provide a sense of where people are at in becoming more accessibility savvy and organise any further training that the department may require
We hope that Departments will promote digital accessibility to their students too.
Contact Lilian Joy with your department or team champion.
![An online meeting with some of the e-accessibility champions. An online meeting with some of the e-accessibility champions.](/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/digitalaccessibility/800eaccessOnline-600x400.jpg)