Developing New Online Course Accessibility Services for Faculty through Collaboration between Librarians and Campus...

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Educational Technology
• Library Science

Background:

• Inaccessible course content creates significant barriers to student success and retention.
• Faculty often lack awareness regarding the benefits of accessibility and their legal obligations.
• Existing reactive accommodation processes are insufficient for timely content accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a proactive, campus-wide accessibility service for online course content.
• To integrate accessibility into the design phase of course materials, ensuring Day 1 availability.
• To support faculty in developing accessible course content and foster student success.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative partnership was formed between the library and two academic departments.
• A formal, campus-wide accessibility service was developed and implemented.
• The service focuses on proactive design initiatives rather than post-hoc accommodations.

Main Results:

• Online course content is designed to be fully accessible from the first day of instruction.
• Faculty receive support for course development, integrating accessibility from the outset.
• The initiative aims to improve student success and retention through accessible learning environments.

Conclusions:

• Proactive, integrated accessibility services are crucial for overcoming barriers in higher education.
• Campus-wide collaboration between libraries and departments can effectively address content accessibility.
• Ensuring Day 1 accessibility supports equitable student outcomes and enhances faculty course development.