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Online Accessibility for Faculty

The purpose of this site is to provide faculty support for creating accessible instruction and fostering success for all students.

DVD/VHS Commercially Produced Material in Library Collection

Deficiency 
Some Library owned video material is not captioned. 

Correction
Recommendations

1. Develop and implement plan for correcting all commercially produced material that is not currently captioned. 

2. Discontinue purchasing non-captioned material.

Support

Priority
Individual items for captioning have been prioritized as high, medium, low in Correction of Library Owned Non-captioned Video Material Five Year Plan and associated documentation

Cost
Captioning of commercially produced materials will be processed by the Helpdesk as requested by the instructor.   This will be performed in house and will incur minimal cost.  Professional captioning services are also available for specialized or difficult material and in critical need situations.

Oversite
Barbara McKibbin, Jerrianne Queen

Finalized Actions/Date
1. Correction of Library Owned Non-captioned Video Material Five Year Plan published and implementation to begin April 2014

2. Permission to caption requests sent to copyright holders for non-captioned commercial DVDs and VHS tapes used by faculty June 2014.  Permissions will be retained until captioning for these items is required.

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Instructor Produced Video Material Currently Available to Students

Deficiency 

Lack of captioning on most items. Videos that need additional aural information for visually impaired students may be lacking this information.  

Correction
Recommendations

1. All instructor created videos used in classes with a deaf or hard of hearing student enrolled must be captioned as soon as the instructor is informed of the student's enrollment in the class.

2. All instructor created videos must have an appropriate aural description if this is necessary for understanding by any visually impaired person as soon as the instructor is informed of the student's enrollment  in the class.   

3. All  instructor created videos used for instruction for more than one term must be submitted for captioning beginning August 1, 2015. 

Support:

  • Resources for captioning will be identified and/ or purchased and appropriate processes will be established by August 1, 2014.  

Documentation/ Evidence:

  • Administrative Council approved purchase of site license for Synchrimedia MovieCaptioner and Helpdesk staff began training in April 2014.  
  • College move to Kaltura video server facilitated simple process for faculty to submit videos for captioning.  All videos created by faculty and uploaded to Kaltura server will be captioned for the faculty member.  
  • One Helpdesk assistant dedicated to captioning.  Additional captioning service escrow account established for immediate captioning needs.
  • Video material on servers other than Kaltura will not be captioned for faculty.  Workshop on process for improperly captioned videos on YouTube and other servers were conducted on March 23, 2015 and directions for uncaptioned YouTube videos posted.  
  • ilos, now VidGrid, which replaced Kaltura,  has captioning for all up loaded videos, implemented December 2017.

Priority
High

Cost
Most captioning will be done by Helpdesk staff.  Cost for one Helpdesk assistant per year for managing captioning processes will be approximately $12,500.  Site license for Synchrimedia Movie Captioner software   $1,440.00 

Oversite

1. & 2. Disability Coordinator informs faculty member that captions or transcripts are necessary; Disability Coordinator contacts Dean of Learning Resources regarding all students who qualify for accommodations related to vision, hearing, mobility, and any other disability that impacts participation in online activities including online classes, website use, public computer access. 

3. Academic Deans

Finalized Actions/Date

Technology Helpdesk staff, some Library and AV personnel, and some other campus clerical staff were trained on MovieCaptioner June/July 2014. Processes were established for faculty to request captioning of video July 2014 with appropriate documentation. Faculty received instruction on processes for having items captioned at mandatory Learning Center workshops on August 13, 15, and 21 (Adjuncts) August 2014.  In December 2017 the College moved to using ilos (now VidGrid) for streaming videos. This service automatically captions any uploaded video. Modifications will be made to the process as necessary. 

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New Instructor Produced Video Material

Deficiency 
Captioning newly created multimedia items has not been the practice. Items in production will probably not contain captions until current practices are changed.

Correction
Recommendation

1. All new instructor created video material must be captioned before being published for  students beginning Fall Term 2014.  

Support

  • Training sessions will be provided for faculty  beginning Fall Term 2014.  
  • Appropriate support documentation will be available by August 1, 2014.
  • Resources for captioning will be identified and/ or purchased and appropriate processes will be established by August 1, 2014. 
  • ilos replaces Kalutra and automatically captions uploaded videos, December 2017.

Priority
High

Cost

Most captioning will be done by Helpdesk staff.  Cost for one Helpdesk assistant per year for managing captioning processes will be approximately $12,500. 

Oversite

Academic Deans are responsible for working with faculty to achieve compliance.

Finalized Actions/Date

Faculty received instruction on processes for having items captioned at mandatory Learning Center workshops on August 13, 15, and 21 (Adjuncts) August 2014.  As of December 2014 only materials that require captioning because a deaf or hard of hearing student is enrolled in class have been sent for captioning. In December 2017, ilos, ( now VidGrid) a video streaming program, was purchased which will automatically caption any uploaded videos.

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File Attachments in Blackboard and Email

Deficiency 
File attachments in Blackboard and email are not being evaluated for screen reader accessibility.  As a result, some are accessible and some are not. 

Correction
Recommendations

1. All new instructor created files used in Blackboard, emailed to students, or posted on websites must be screen reader accessible beginning 2015 Spring Term.  For classes with a visually impaired student this must be done immediately upon learning of the student's enrollment in the class.  

2. All existing files should be assessed for readability and, if necessary, replaced with a  readable version of the file by the beginning of 2015 Summer Term.  For classes with a visually impaired student this must be done immediately upon learning of the student's enrollment in the class.   

3.  Training on creation of accessible documents and assessing current documents for a core support group should be conducted during 2014 Summer Term.  

Support

  • Instruction on creating accessible documents will be included in workshops delivered 2014 Fall Term.  
  • Appropriate support documentation will be available by August 1, 2014.
  •  On December 1, 2014 Administrative Council determined that online training needs to be developed or added to the current MIT course for adjunct faculty and others who cannot attend training sessions or need additional support.   The training needs to include everything covered by the training sessions VLC will deliver on February 5, 2015.   

Priority
High

Cost
VLC accessibility training will not incur costs.   Will identify other training alternatives if further training is necessary.

Oversite
Academic Deans are responsible for working with faculty to implement corrections to their documents.

Finalized Actions/Date

Training on creating accessible documents, presentations, websites, and course sites was conducted by VLC staff on February 6, 2015.   Administrative Council determined that this was mandatory for all full-time faculty and would be available for all other employees, including adjunct faculty.  Ally accessibility scanning software to assist faculty in creating accessible online course content was purchased in July 2017 and was implemented in all courses on July 1, 2018. All uploaded files are measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards.  Ally provides step-by-step instructions to faculty to correct accessibility issues. Ally also provides to students alternative formats of uploaded documents (html, audio, epub, electronic braille, OCRed PDF, tagged PDF).

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Audio Files in Blackboard

Deficiency 
Most audio files do not have a transcript for hearing impaired students.

Correction
Recommendations

1. All instructor created audio used in classes with a deaf or hard of hearing student must be accompanied by a transcript as soon as the instructor is informed of the student's enrollment in the class.

2. All audio files to be used for more than one term must be accompanied by a transcript as of August 1, 2015.

Support

  • Appropriate training sessions will be provided in August 2014. 
  • Appropriate support documentation will be available by August 1, 2014.

Priority
High

Cost

None

Oversite

Deans are responsible for working with faculty to correct all non-compliant items.

Finalized Actions/Date

Ongoing

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Publisher Websites and Course Cartridges Used for Course Content

Deficiency 
For accessibility statements from currently used publisher content see:

CENGAGE:   (for SAM)

PARADIGM:  (for SNAP)

PEARSON: (for Mastering BIO)

ELSEVIER:  (for OST)

MACMILLAN:  (for ENG classes)

Correction
Recommendations

1.  Any existing online presentations used for instruction will be modified for appropriate accessibility immediately when the instructor is aware that a disabled student is enrolled in the class.

2.  All new online presentations used for instruction for more than one term will have accessible features or alternatives beginning January 1, 2015. 

Support

  • Directions for creating accessible online presentations will be available to faculty by August 1, 2014. 
  • Instruction on  creating accessible presentations will be included in workshops delivered 2014 Fall Term.

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Academic Deans - A form for faculty use in discussions with vendors was adopted during fall term 2016.  The form requires faculty to obtain VPATs for publisher content used in online courses. 

Finalized Actions/Dates
The online course template has been modified to include links to publisher accessibility statements within the "Instructor Resources" folder.  Instructions are provided to faculty that they should select the appropriate publisher accessibility link and post it on the syllabus page and under "Access and Accommodations" in the Contact Information section of their course.  If the appropriate link is not provided in the course template instructions are given for locating appropriate information.  

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Instructor Added Content, Formatting, and Structure in Blackboard and on Instructor Websites Used for Instruction

Deficiency 
Instructors have not been given guidance on complying with accessibility standards for online content creation.  As a result, elements of many courses are not currently compliant.

Correction
Recommendations

1. Four accessibility standards will be added to the College online / hybrid course evaluation rubric for evaluation of all new courses beginning 2015 Spring Term.   

2.  All new courses will be compliant with the stated accessibility standards for 2015 Spring Term.  

3. All current courses will be evaluated based on the stated accessibility standards in 2016 Summer term.  

Support

  • Beginning 2014 Fall Term, workshops will be conducted each term to guide all faculty on creating more accessible courses. 
  • Appropriate support documentation will be available August 1, 2014.
  • Additional course accessibility instruction will be added to MIT 110 for 2014 Fall Term.  On December 1, 2014 Administrative Council determined that online training  needs to be developed or added to the current MIT course for adjunct faculty and others who cannot attend training sessions or need additional support. The training needs to include everything covered by the training sessions VLC will deliver on February 5, 2015.

Priority
High

Cost
College already pays for outside evaluator.  There will be no added costs for evaluating accessibility compliance.

Oversite

Ally accessibility scanning software to assist faculty in creating accessible online course content was purchased in July 2017 and was implemented in all courses on July 1, 2018. All uploaded files are measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards.  Ally provides step-by-step instructions to faculty to correct accessibility issues. Ally also provides to students alternative formats of uploaded documents (html, audio, epub, electronic braille, OCRed PDF, tagged PDF). Reports on online course accessibility will be available to Academic Deans once the implementation is complete. 

Finalized Actions/Dates
July 2018

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College Website

Deficiency 
As of 2014/04/15 the website has some accessibility issues.

Correction
Recommendations

1. Utilize SiteImprove to identify and correct issues.

Priority
Medium

Cost
For meeting WCAG standards, there is no additional cost to the College since we already have SiteImprove to scan for accessibility issues based on WCAG criteria.  

AIM certification  costs nothing; there are costs for an initial scan and other scans to check for error corrections.   Using SiteImprove to its potential will reduce this. 

Oversite
Public Information and Marketing Coordinator 

Finalized Actions/Dates
College webmaster has used SiteImprove to continue to scan,  make improvements, and ensure the College site conforms to WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 during Fall 2014.  He also completed the Web Accessibility Certification course offered through SiteImprove in October 2014.

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Library Website

Deficiency 
Technically, the Library website, created with LibGuides,  is compliant by providing a text-only version.  Site is not easily accessible with a screen reader.

Correction
Recommendations

1. Complete migration to LibGuides 2.0 

Support

  •  LibGuides Accessibility Statement : We are committed to ensuring that all users can enjoy the benefits of the Springshare Platform. All our public pages are designed with accessibility in mind, and we are working on making admin pages fully accessible too.    

2.  Utilize SiteImprove and Wave to continually monitor Library website accessibility. 

Priority
Medium

Cost
None

Oversite
Jerrianne Queen

Finalized Actions/Dates
Migration to LibGuides 2.0 completed Summer 2014. Website is analyzed weekly by SiteImprove for accessibility issues and remains compliant.

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Blackboard Interface

Deficiency
Compliant

Correction
None needed

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Distance Learning Coordinator/Instructional Development Coordinator 

Finalized Actions/

N/A

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Online Presentation Software

Deficiency
Most online presentations currently in use are not compliant.  

Corrections
Recommendations

1.  Any existing online presentations used for instruction will be modified for appropriate accessibility immediately when the instructor is aware that a disabled student is enrolled in the class.

2.  All new online presentations used for instruction for more than one term will have accessible features or alternatives beginning January 1, 2015. 

Support

  • Directions for creating accessible online presentations will be available to faculty by August 1, 2014. 
  • Instruction on  creating accessible presentations will be included in workshops delivered 2014 Fall Term.

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Any non-compliant resources will be reported to Academic Deans through reports from outside course evaluator.

Finalized Actions/Dates
Training on creating accessible documents, presentations, websites, and course sites will be conducted by VLC staff on February 6, 2015.   Administrative Council determined that this will be mandatory for all full-time faculty and will be available for all other employees, including adjunct faculty.

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Web-based Instruction Applications Used in Any Course

Deficiency
Accessibility Statements for Current Web-based Applications: 

MyMathLab
WebAssign
Connect
Pearson Writer
Recommendations:

1. Any online instruction product evaluated for purchase/adoption after July 1, 2014 should be evaluated with accessibility as one criteria. 

2. Instructors should provide accessibility information regarding required online applications to students through the online course "Accessibility Statement" and/or the course syllabus beginning August 1, 2014.  

Support

  •  A "Statement of Accessibility" section will be added to the Blackboard Course template for 2014 Fall Term courses.  

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Academic Deans; Distance Learning Coordinator

Finalized Actions/Dates
The online course template has been modified to include links to publisher accessibility statements within the "Instructor Resources" folder.  Instructions are provided to faculty that they should select the appropriate publisher accessibility link and post it on the syllabus page and under "Access and Accommodations" in the Contact Information section of their course.  If the appropriate link is not provided in the course template instructions are given for locating appropriate information.

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AccuTrak (Tutoring)

Deficiency 
Not compliant 

Correction
Scheduling for students is accommodated by students  requesting assistance from a staff member in the Student Success Center.

Priority
Medium

Cost
None

Oversite
Director, Student Success Center. Modified due to reorganization, to Academic Affairs

Finalized Actions/Dates
Ongoing

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MyCleveland and Self-Service

Deficiency
Compliant-- works with a screen reader. See WebAdvisor for more information.

Correction
None needed

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
IT Department

Finalized Actions/Dates
Ongoing

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Student Email

Deficiency

Correction
Recommendation

1. Information on email accessibility will be included in all email support documentation provided to students.  For online documents this information should be added for 2014 Summer Term.  For printed documentation this should be with the next printing.

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Kyle Harmon/Athena Smith,  Ewelina Gibson

Finalized Actions/Date
Ongoing

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Library Databases

Deficiency 
Compliance information located on the Library Website

Correction
Recommendation:

1. Maintain compliance documentation/ information on Library website

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Jerrianne Queen

Finalized Actions/Dates
Ongoing

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eBooks

Deficiency 
Compliance information located on the Library website

Correction
Recommendation:

1. Maintain compliance documentation/ information on Library website

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Jerrianne Queen

Finalized Actions/Dates
Ongoing

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Library Catalog (CCLINC)

Deficiency
SirsiDynix accessibility statement

Correction

Recommendation:

1. Maintain compliance documentation/ information on Library website

Priority
High

Cost
None

Oversite
Jerrianne Queen

Finalized Actions/Dates
Ongoing

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Placement Tests

Deficiency 
Not complaint

Correction
Compass is not compliant but will be replaced with Accuplacer during Summer 2014 Term.  Accuplacer is compliant.  Braille tests for all placement tests have been ordered.

Priority 
High

Cost
Already purchased

Oversite
Director, Student Success Center; Modified due to reorganization to Student Affairs

Finalized Actions/Dates
NC DAP is a customized version of Accuplacer. Implemented 2014.

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Overall Compliance

Deficiency 
Taskforce recommends going forward with all corrections, with appropriate oversight.  

Correction
Recommendations:

1. Adopt and implement all recommended corrections, with appropriate oversight.
2. Create a standing Accessibility Committee. 

Priority 
High

Cost
Costs will be for captioning software, support staff, and outside services if necessary; outside evaluator for online course accessibility; training; website certification

Oversite
Accessibility Committee and Learning Resources Accessibility Taskforce

Finalized Actions/Dates
In May 2014 the College Administrative Council appointed a permanent Accessibility Committee.  Members of the Committee will be HR & Safety Manager (chair), Director Physical Plant, CIO, Dean Learning Resources, Director  Student Success Center, Webmaster, Financial Aid Coordinator, 1 faculty member appointed by Faculty Senate.   The President recommended that the Learning Resources Accessibility Taskforce continue to meet to monitor this plan. 

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