Physical Accessibility
Online Accessibility Resources
Audio and Video Accessibility in the Classroom
Today, more and more instructors are using video and audio recording of class sessions and student projects. These recordings are primarily utilized to allow students to watch a missed session, to review an earlier session, or to share with a future class. If any student is identifiable in a recording of a class or other educational event, it may constitute an educational record protected under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”). To ensure FERPA compliance, consult the Faculty Classroom Recordings Best Practices, a document which was prepared as part of a collaborative effort between faculty and administration.
Below you will find a list of audio/visual tools and their accessibility components that are available to faculty and students at Arcadia University.
Blackboard Ally
Blackboard Ally helps to make course content accessible by providing:
- Alternative formats – Automatically check for accessibility issues and generate alternative accessible formats for students.
- Step by Step Instructions – Guide instructors on how to improve the accessibility of their course content and learn ways of making future materials accessible when creating them.
Zoom
Zoom tests its products with keyboard-only, and with the latest screen readers. Using knowledge gathered from customer feedback and from its own testing, Zoom trains its teams to sustainably build accessible products.
Its products are compliant, with exceptions, with the following standards:
- WCAG 2.1 AA Standards
- Revised Section 508 Standards
- EN 301 549 Accessibility requirements
For more detailed information, view Zoom’s Accessibility Features.
Canvas
The Canvas platform was built using the most modern HTML and CSS technologies, and is committed to W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative and Section 508 guidelines. For more specific information, view this Canvas accessibility guide.
Panopto
Panopto offers accessibility features that allows users to easily navigate and read the Panopto web interface. The web interface supports screen readers for all available creator and viewer interfaces. The web interface also supports keyboard access, allowing you to use the tab key to access all available functions. All sessions fully support adding and displaying captions
- Brief – Panopto features ASR (automatic speech recognition) generated captions to your video. These are easily editable. Learn how to add ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) captions into a video.
- Scripted – If you have a script written and it is in these formats *.srt, *.ashx, *.vtt, and *.dxfp, they can be uploaded. Learn how to upload a caption file for a video.
- Longer – For Instructor created content that is lengthy see the Panopto guide on how to request captioning. Captioning services provides a four day turnaround.
For more detailed information, view Panopto’s guide to accessibility features.
Meetings & Events Hosted on Zoom
What is required?
If your event is open to the public or displayed on the public facing website, you need to have closed captioning and/or a transcript. If it is a closed event, you can choose to provide services only if requested. If you need live captioning for Zoom meetings with students, please contact Disability Support Services. If you need live captioning for Zoom meetings with staff or faculty, please contact Human Resources. You must provide information for participants to make accommodation requests.
The following statement should be included in communications for all events: If you require accommodations in order to participate in this event, please contact (name of point person for event that will schedule services) at (email) or (phone).
Resources for Creating Accessible Content
Ensuring that our digital content is created using best practices with accessibility in mind helps us be able to provide information to all Arcadia community members. Not everyone will engage in the content in the same way. When content is available to the public, it is vital that it meets accessibility standards. These standards are also useful and should be implemented with content geared toward the Arcadia community (i.e. all students, all faculty/staff). Below you will find a basic checklist of top barriers and resources on proactively creating accessible content.
Digital Accessibility Checklist
There are many educational tools used by faculty and students with various accessibility features and limits. Please see below list for accessibility statements of common education technology tools use at Arcadia.
Accessibility Concerns on Campus
Housing
Students should complete the information required on the Residence Life Housing Portal and then contact DSS to provide medical documentation of any special needs which require housing accommodations at the time the housing deposit is paid. Documentation must be on file with DSS before Student Life can arrange any accommodations. Please note: Students requiring housing accommodations are encouraged to get their requests and documentation submitted as early as possible.
Parking
Students should acquire information about accessible parking from the Public Safety Department. Accessible parking places on campus require a handicapped placard or license plate issued by students’ state Department of Motor Vehicles. An Arcadia University parking permit, available from the Public Safety Office, is also required. Contact Public Safety at 215-572-2800.
Wellness
Student Health Services provides health care for full-time students. Part-time students may receive emergency services for a fee provided a Student Health Record form has been completed in advance.
Counseling Services provides free and confidential personal counseling for all full-time students, as well as more limited services to part-time students.
Classrooms
Students should inform DSS if they require modifications in the physical classroom with regard to location, seating, and any other issues.
Technology
LRN Lab
Fusion, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Kurzweil 3000 software can be found on computers in the LRN Lab located in Knight Hall. Also available are scanning equipment, instructional software and videos, a CCTV, self-help materials and booklets related to academic skills and strategies.
Library Computers
Computers with assistive technology are available in Landman Library. In addition, there is a CCTV available for student use.
Firefly
DSS current has the Kurzweil FireFly addition allowing students to access Kurzweil’s reading features from any internet based technology. Students must obtain user id and password from DSS in order to access.
Students requiring alternative media are encouraged to submit their requests once they have their book lists.
Accessibility Issues
Report an accessibility-related concern: door button not working, construction blocking accessible entrance to a building, issue with adaptive technology in library, etc.
Disability Support Services assists students in obtaining the services and reasonable accommodations required to ensure equal access to all aspects of the student experience and to assist the University in meeting its compliance obligations. Students seeking reasonable accommodations should consult the Disability Support Services Policy for Students for more information.
Employees who wish to request reasonable accommodations should contact the Associate Vice President of Human Resources. The University is committed to ensuring equal access to employment within the University. Employees should consult the Disability Support Services Policy for Employees and Applicants for more information.
Visitors needing accommodations should contact the person, office, or department hosting the event.
