Distance Education and Web Accessibility

As an assistive technology instructor in the disability department at a junior college, the author is asked to evaluate distance education courses to make sure that persons with disabilities can access the course. So it is important for him to understand exactly what accessibility features are required for each disability. Also, the author provides direction to instructors designing distance education courses and point out that the design elements which will be beneficial for all users and not just disabled users. Each of the major categories of disabilities requires certain types of adaptations in the design of the web content. Most of the time, these adaptations benefit nearly everyone, not just people with disabilities. Almost everyone benefits from helpful illustrations, properly organized content and clear navigation.