In keeping with Wayne State University’s commitment to inclusivity and access, the university will commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Thursday, May 19. GAAD was developed to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion for those with different disabilities.
“The goal is to provide an accessible, usable and welcoming environment for everyone. Especially recently, we have all been given the opportunity to think intentionally about how we connect with one another,” said Krystal Tosch, web accessibility coordinator. “One of Wayne State’s greatest strengths is its diversity, and we strive to provide services, facilities and curricula that promote equality and inclusion. Every user deserves the best experience.”
Accessibility touches each aspect of the university community and includes electronic and information technology, instructional materials, collaborative experiences and interactions, and the physical environment. Wayne State’s accessibility efforts are led through collaboration between the Web department in Marketing and Communications, the Office for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Equal Opportunity, Student Disability Services, and Facilities Planning and Management, among others.
“Our campus works together to create a culture of accessibility, and in that collaborative spirit we are making these important considerations and adjustments part of our natural processes,” said Tosch.
Faculty and staff are invited to participate in events throughout the week in observance of GAAD:
Drop-in: Teaching and learning accessibility
Join this informal session to ask questions about accessibility in course materials and design, and connect with colleagues to share ideas and success stories. Drop-ins are welcome virtually from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 16. Register for this session on Academica.
Drop-in: Website accessibility
Join this informal session to ask any web and document accessibility questions and to connect with your colleagues. Drop-ins are welcome virtually from 10:30 to noon Wednesday, May 18. Register for this session on Academica.
Training: Creating accessible Canvas courses
This training session is ideal for anyone creating or updating content in Canvas, and it will provide best principles and tips to easily check accessibility. Participants will leave the session with the ability to evaluate the accessibility of their course using built-in checkers within Canvas. The training will be hosted virtually from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 19. Register for this session on Academica.
Canvas course
Accessibility training is available on Canvas for all faculty and staff. The self-paced sessions — complete with hands-on components —include information related to web accessibility. Faculty and staff can enroll in this training course.
To learn more about accessibility at Wayne State University, visit wayne.edu/accessibility.