Course managers often set up courses and then invite teachers of the course to submit or create content for the course. This page contains information for the Course anager acting in this role. In addition, the Course manager should be aware of the recommendations for content authoring using WebCT.
Icons and graphics - students with language, reading or learning difficulties like clear icons and diagrams but students with vision impairments need text alternatives for all icons and images.
Beware of shovel-ware - students need content to be well-structured (chunked). Avoid PDF files - they are inaccessible to students with screen readers and annoying to many others. Capital letters may be read literally, letter by letter, not as words in capital letters, and odd characters, such as a dash, are meaningless and confusing when read aloud.
Not all WebCT icons have text alternatives - cut-and-paste the icon's img src into the title field (???)
WebCT does not provide information for users needing assistive technology. This information should be provided to students separately. Many users do not realise their difficulties can be catered for and their access improved. Put a web accessibility help link on all pages and tools so students can get accessibility help.
Links should make sense when encountered out of context. Many access devices make lists of links and if the text that is hyperlinked is of the kind 'click here' it does not help the user. Ensure that the text is that which describes what is at the other end of the link and that no two links have the same description unless they go to the same destination.
Tables can lead to difficulties as they may not linearise properly.
Many users of screen readers cannot manage Frames which is a problem as WebCT has a tendency to open a lot of frames simultaneously. Avoid the use of frames. (if you MUST have frames - it is recommended that you disable the course menu frame.)
For quizzes, provide text alternatives for all self-test questions and feedback. Deliver all quiz questions at once with a facility to revisit or make a copy of quizzes with alternate settings for students with (self-) identified disabilities.
In discussions, use as much division by topic as possible and provide a link to each thread.
The image database and CD-ROM tool help make courses accessible.
Add Search, myGrades, myProgress and Glossary to the home page.
Make sure any link in the Course menu is also available from the home page.
WebCT's chat, discussion groups and email cause problems for students using dictation software and others attempting text entry with assistive devices.
If you do not need to use search, indexing and tracking features of paths, link material as a set of single pages using the 'Add link to single page' option. When doing this, specify 'same browser window' rather than 'new browser window'. If you don't, a new window and new Javascript will be involved and both cause accessibility problems.
"IMS Web Content Accessibility guidleines White Paper", http://www.imsproject.org/
"Strategies for developing inclusive online Courses", E J Pearson and T Koppi
"Bringing Your WebCT Course into ADA Compliance: A Nuts and Bolts Approach" C Gergely, S Rehberg
Last updated: 8 March 2002