Accessible Online Learning Community Group Proposed

The Accessible Online Learning Community Group has been proposed:

--------------------------------------------------

Accessibility is often provided through accommodations. Schools are
legally obligated to provide accommodations to enrolled students with
identified disabilities, based on their needs—sign language interpreters
in lectures for deaf students, digital copies of textbooks for students
who are blind or have reading difficulties, extended time on exams for
students who need more time due to cognitive or physical disabilities.


With online learning, the obligations are less clear—for example, with
MOOCs, where students around the world are taking courses but are not
enrolled at the sponsoring school or organization. Also, accommodations
are not well established—sign language interpreters and note takers are
typically accommodations for the physical classroom. How does an
organization ensure they are meeting obligations and giving online
students the support they need participate fully and to be successful?


Providers of online learning are best off delivering courses that are
accessible out-of-the-box, without the need for special accommodations.
And many of the features that provide an accessible experience for
people with disabilities benefit all learners. For example, lecture
transcripts are an excellent tool for study and review. However, without
deliberate attention to the technologies, standards, and guidelines that
comprise the Web Platform, accessibility may be difficult to achieve,
and learners with disabilities may be left behind.


The activities of the Accessible Online Learning W3C Community Group
take place at the intersection of accessibility and online learning. We
focus on reviewing current W3C resources and technologies to ensure the
requirements for accessible online learning experiences are considered.
We also identify areas where additional resources and technologies are
needed to ensure full participation of people with disabilities in
online learning experiences.

--------------------------------------------------

You are invited to support the creation of this group:
  http://www.w3.org/community/groups/proposed#accesslearn

Once the group has a total of five supporters, it will be launched and
people can join to begin work. Once launched, the group will no longer
be listed as "proposed"; it will appear in the list of current groups:
  http://www.w3.org/community/groups/

In order to support the group, you will need a W3C account. To request one:
  http://www.w3.org/community/account/request

If you believe that there is an issue with this group that requires
the attention of the W3C staff, please send us email on
site-comments@w3.org.

Thank you,
W3C Community Development Team

Received on Friday, 10 April 2015 03:01:45 UTC