Develop Plans for Providing Accommodations in the Online Environment
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Most learning management systems (LMS) have an option for setting extended test time. GeorgiaVIEW allows for this. Work with the CTL staff to put this into place.
Have a plan for students to take paper-and-pencil tests if the online test cannot be made accessible.
NOTE-TAKING
Depending on the design of the online class, notes may or may not be necessary for students who would request them for in-person classes. Explain to students how their accessibility needs will be met.
ACCESSIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
All texts posted for online classes should be accessible to screen readers and other assistive technologies. However, faculty new to the format may not be aware of how to create accessible materials. Contact the CTL staff to find ways to create digitally accessible documents.
Blackboard ALLY is a tool provided to help instructors insure that their electronic documents are digitally accessible to everybody. To aid in creating digitally accessible documents, Blackboard is offering, for a limited time, free access to their File Transformer. Upload your file, choose an alternative file format, and the site will transform your document into any number of accessible options. Give this service a try by visiting: https://ally.ac/covid19/
INTERPRETING/CART
If a student who is deaf or hard of hearing is in the class, use your current resources or contract with one of the numerous companies that provide remote real-time captioning or remote interpreting. Contact your local AHEAD Affiliate or use AHEAD’s Communities for recommendations. *USG schools may contact CIDI (formerly AMAC)https://cidi.gatech.edu/*
While captioning of all online content is recommended, during this hectic time, concentrate on providing captioning for classes in which a student who is deaf or hard of hearing is enrolled. Then, provide captioning for the other classes.
FLEXIBILITY IN ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES
Revisit these accommodations as students transition to online classes. These rare accommodations are based on the design of the class and will need to be reconsidered as the class changes formats. Use the same strategies to determine reasonableness that you used for the in-class decision and be sure to communicate with both the faculty member and the student. Be sure to check with Disability Services if you have any questions.