Using MOOCs to Promote Digital Accessibility and Universal Design, the MOOCAP Experience

Area of Science:

• Digital Accessibility
• Universal Design
• Open Educational Resources (OERs)

Background:

• The Massive Open Online Course for Accessibility Partnership (MOOCAP) project aimed to foster strategic partnerships for Universal Design and Accessibility.
• Eight European universities with expertise in accessibility education and research collaborated on the project.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a strategic partnership promoting Universal Design and Accessibility for ICT professionals.
• To develop and deliver Open Educational Resources (OERs) in Digital Accessibility and Universal Design.
• To reflect on the challenges, outcomes, and potential of MOOCs in promoting Universal Design and Accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Development of an introductory MOOC on Digital Accessibility.
• Delivery of specialized online courses focusing on in-depth accessibility topics.
• Analysis of project evaluations and student feedback.

Main Results:

• Over 10,000 students enrolled in the MOOCAP courses.
• A suite of Open Educational Resources (OERs) was developed and disseminated.
• Insights were gained into the challenges and opportunities of using MOOCs for accessibility education.

Conclusions:

• MOOCs demonstrate significant potential for promoting Universal Design and Digital Accessibility among ICT professionals.
• The project highlighted key challenges in creating and delivering accessible online learning experiences.
• The MOOCAP project established a valuable legacy of resources and partnerships in the field of accessibility.