Tips and Resources for Providing an Accessible Online Course Blackboard Ally and Beyond
During a recent University System of Maryland online gathering , our Assistant Vice Provost jointly presented with College Park about tips and strategies for digital accessibility.  We work in partnership with DoIT, and directly with Instructional Technology, beyond our collaboration and communication with faculty and the Faculty Development Center.  We are broadly sharing resources campus-wide to refresh awareness, including:

Tips for Creating an Accessible Online Course (from Educause)
which is also posted on  SDS's Information for Faculty Resource website (link). and

Faculty Accommodation Guidelines/FAQ for Remote Instruction (link). 

These postings supplement and complement ongoing work with DoIT's Instructional Technology office, their department supports Blackboard, Ultra, Collaborate, Ally (Accessibility information linked here) and more.  UMBC's DoIT has a strong and enduring association with Educause that informs the drive for inclusive excellence online. The collaboration between Student Disability Services, students with accommodations, Instructional Technology and faculty/Faculty Development began when course content started  to shift online and continues today.

Faculty can learn more about Instructional Technology's web-based  PIVOT training here. The Planning Instructional Variety for Online Training was mentioned during this week's online Student Town Hall.  Additional FAQ information and technology-based training options are also available through DoIT.

Voicethread training, and Universal Design for Learning is being promoted by Intstructional Technology via this link. (Lots of captioning provided via this app during URCAD - it's not just for faculty!)

On a broader scale, UMBC is active with the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).  The next Maryland meeting includes collaboration with IT and instructional Technology Departments to continue on the path of inclusive excellence.


A  gentle reminder - Accessibility and Disability Services remains a resource for anyone fielding a UMBC-related accessibility question or concern.  ADS and Student Disability Services are also available for accommodation questions and intakes during this period of telework, and distance learning, including if there is a change in the need for accommodation. Details can be found here:

Faculty, staff and student employee accommodation information (link)
Academic (Student) Accommodation/SDS link

Accessibility Concerns may be reported to our office via this link at any time.  Office staff can be reached via 410-455-5745 and slazar@umbc.edu during regular business hours. 

Photo of Sign reading You Got This Next to a laptop by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash
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Undergraduate and graduate students who are immunocompromised in this manner may request new or supplemental academic accommodation by contacting Student Disability Services (link) via phone 410-455-2459, email disAbility@umbc.edu or through their Accommodate account.

Similarly immunocompromised UMBC employees - faculty, staff, and students - who wish to discuss work accommodation options shall contact Accessibility & Disability Services via phone 410-455-5745 or email slazar@umbc.edu if the need arises.


Follow UMBC's COVID-19 website for updates. 

March 16 update: The ADS office has resumed operating remotely, we look forward to working with you - give us a call, send us an email, or initiate the work accommodation process online (link).

Campus members with other risk factors (e.g. age, someone else at home) may also have questions. Support and instructions for all high-risk employees (beyond faculty, staff and student workers with disabilities) are linked here, 

General information for faculty with the provision of academic continuity if an emergency situation arises can be found on DoIT's website and Instructional Technology's myUMBC page.



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