For Staff
...wanting to author e-learning materials
- Using the Course Materials Repository
- Using Online Coursework Submission
- Using the Plagiarism Detection Service
- Using Moodle
- Using WebCT
- Using Perception
- Using a Personal Response System
- SENDA
- Supporting Online Learning
- IPR and Copyright Guidance
- E-Learning Network (Mailing List)
- Training
- Learning and Teaching
In this section:
Online Learning and SENDA
Introduction
This page is intended as a resource for academic and support staff, to explore the ways in which online materials may support students with disabilities and special needs. You will find information on how to create accessible course materials for online delivery and see examples of good practice in this field at this University and beyond.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) came into force in September 2002, and makes it unlawful to discriminate against students with a disability. At the University of Essex approximately 5% of students are registered as having a disability. Students may have mobility difficulties, may be deaf or hard of hearing, be blind or have impaired vision. Some students may have learning difficulties, for example dyslexia. Others may have unseen disabilities, or a temporary injury or illness which requires additional support.
Accessible materials benefit all students, not just those who have particular needs. An accessible online resource should not mean one which in any way diminishes the learning experience or outcome. The RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind), which is active in promoting and campaigning for accessible online resources, writes:
'Accessibility is the degree to which anyone can access and use a website using any web browsing technology. A fully accessible site is one that is designed to make use of the latest web technologies such as multimedia, while at the same time accommodating the needs of those who have difficulty with or are unable to use these technologies.' Understanding web accessibility - Web access centre.
Whilst students now have a vast amount of Web-based resources available to them to support their study, for many students access is frustrated by poor design or inappropriate use of technology. The following pages look how online learning can support students to learn, and discusses the ways in which resources at the University (the CMR, WebCT and Moodle, Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), and QuestionMark Perception, software which enables the authoring and delivery of online assessments and surveys), may be used to develop accessible learning for all.
