An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design

This course introduces some of the fundamental principles of accessibility and prepares learners for further study in accessibility and inclusive design. Learners will have an opportunity to explore the major types of disabilities and related assistive technology and adaptive strategies, the most salient contours of the legal landscape, and the major principles that guide universal design and accessible content creation. Spotlight guest videos will highlight firsthand perspectives on disability, as well as topics like disability etiquette, universal design and universal design for learning, accommodation in higher education, campus accessibility policy, and accessibility in a corporate setting.

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Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Course Orientation
Module 1: Understanding Disability and Assistive Technology
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
Week 2
Module 2: The Legal Landscape and the Workplace
This module will give you a basic understanding of some of the major disability types (visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive), their main functional challenges, and some of the related assistive technologies. You’ll also get valuable firsthand perspectives on disabilities and assistive technology from people with different disabilities, including a spirited panel discussion on disability etiquette from a team of disability experts.
Week 3
Module 3: Universal Design
In this module, you’ll develop a basic understanding of some of the key legislation that impacts accessibility. From the workplace perspective, you’ll have an opportunity to explore some insightful firsthand occupation-specific perspectives from a web developer, a media specialist, an instructional designer, and a computer science instructor. Finally, you’ll get an insider’s view on accommodation from a team of accommodation specialists who handle document conversion, captioning, audio description, accessible document design, and testing accommodations.
Week 4
Module 4: Accessible Digital Materials
This module will give you a basic understanding of the seven principles of universal design and the roots of universal design in architecture. You’ll learn how universal design can be applied in a learning context through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its inclusive design practices. Video interviews with recognized experts in the field will highlight insightful IT perspectives on universal design along with higher ed perspectives on Universal Design for Learning.

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Reviews

I learned SO much! Still considering my path in terms of a career but I know that whatever I do, I will carry what I learned with me and put it to good use! Thank you:)

This course gives me basic knowledge on accessibility that I need for my work ahead. I have so much respect on people at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign who have contirbuted to this course.

Not as much directly related to software design as I expected, but then again design is not necessarily software design.

Todo perfecto en el curso, pero se me dificultó que no tuviera traducciones en algunas videos.