Accessibility in Online Courses

“Texas A&M University Corpus Christi is committed… to providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability.”

Dr. Flavius C. Killebrew, President/CEO, exerpt from Reaffirmation of Commitment to Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Diversity.

In 1998 the US Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

Resources:

• Section 508 - http://www.section508.gov/ 
• US Access Board Guide to Accessibility and section 508 standards explained 
• Use YouTube service to get basic transcript for your multimedia production.

Online Resources and Accessibility

• E-Learning Checklist for Accessibility (for instructors)
• Accessibility Checklist for Online Courses (for reviewers) 
• Blackboard Universal Design and Accessibility for Online Learning
• Suggested Guidelines for Online Courses 

 TAMU-CC Disability Services

• Students are encouraged to contact Disability Services (DS) - the hub for coordinating services and accommodations to ensure accessibility and utilization of all programs for all Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students with  disabilities. Our services are designed to meet the unique educational needs of enrolled students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities. DS provides intake and consultation services to students seeking to register with our office. We review individual’s  documentation of disability and assess eligibility for services and determination of reasonable accommodations.
• Resources for Faculty
• Grievance Procedures

Please contact Mr. Samuel Ramirez, Director, Employee Development & Compliance Services & Title IX Coordinator, or Ms. Rosie Ruiz, Associate Director & Deputy Title IX Coordinator at (361) 825-5826, Corpus Christi Hall, Room 130 regarding questions, concerns, or your rights under these programs.

Mr. Ramirez is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the University’s equal opportunity, diversity, affirmative action, ethics, and compliance programs, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments (which includes student absences due to pregnancy and childbirth). 

Faculty:

Accessible and universal course designs minimize the need for accommodations for people with disabilities. Federal law requires that requests for services for students with disabilities be addressed.

If you have been asked to serve a student, but are unsure of how to meet his or her needs, please contact the Disability Service Office, or if you have concerns about an online course, contact The Office of Distance Education and Learning Technologies.

Never tell a student that you are unable to serve them. Rather contact us for help. TAMU-CC Disability Services at http://disabilityservices.tamucc.edu/  provides examination services, liaison services, and assistive technologies.

The Office of Distance Learning and Educational Technologies provides professional development, a Blackboard course that is available to all instructors on how to make your course accessible, as well as assistance with transcription of videos and a tutorial on how to add transcribed text as closed captions on YouTube videos.