Incorporating accessibility practices into our teaching and learning ensures every student has equitable access to learning, opportunities for achievement, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their educational program. This page is a set of curated resources to help as you think about accessibility in teaching and learning. As we continue to build the content and resources on this page, we thank everyone for their patience and encourage those seeking more information to contact us.
Learning design
Course planning & content design
Plan your course to ensure each of your students has the best learning experience
Articles
- Breaking barriers: Responding to 7 common academic accommodations with accessible teaching strategies
- Universal Extended Time (UET): Expanding accessibility in timed assessments
- Creating accessible content
- Meetings and events
- Brightspace accessibility features
- Blended strategies to support accessibility
Assessments
Design and implement accessible assessment tools and methods
Workshops
Access Points: The 5 Spheres of Accessibility in Teaching and Learning
This workshop creates a space to explore five spheres of accessibility in teaching and learning: Communication, Time, Space, Engagement and Materials. Facilitators will share accessibility strategies related to each of the spheres. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer dialogue around how accessibility expansion increases equity and reduces barriers for a range of diverse students. Participants will work together to analyse case studies applying the 5 spheres.
Breaking Barriers: Accessible Strategies in Teaching
This interactive workshop will provide an overview of some of the most frequent access barriers students at UVic experience and provide suggestions and strategies to pro-actively mitigate these barriers through course design. Facilitators will engage with case study examples that allow participants to explore how to apply these strategies. This workshop will support participants to identify and reflect on ways they can enhance inclusivity and accessibility in their teaching environments.
Planning for Accessibility in Timed Assessments
Face-to-face timed assessments (e.g., traditional exams) can present educational barriers for students. Integrating accessibility strategies can reduce these barriers and provide a more accurate demonstration of each students’ knowledge, skills and competencies. Facilitators will share accessibility considerations and discuss accessibility strategies that can be used for face-to-face timed assessments. As part of this conversation, facilitators and participants will discuss Universal Extended Time (UET). Through a dialogue, participants will consider what strategies are applicable in their own contexts.
Accessibility in Action Series
Participate in a community dialogue on the following topics:
- Creating inclusive slide decks – how to best visually represent course content (including statistics and graphs/diagrams) that are clear concise and most importantly, accessible!
- Flexible deadlines, firm learning – examining best practices for integrating flexibility in assignment deadlines and other academic tasks within the boundaries of course parameters
- Rethinking classroom participation – how to effectively gage student participation that fosters inclusive and accessible engagement
Workshops on request
We also offer customized departmental support and training provided for groups seeking to address specific teaching challenges and opportunities.
