Essentials: LMS, Documents, Assessment
What is one easy thing that an online instructor can do when making Word documents that would help those students with a visual impairment?
I think that there are two easy things that an online instructor can do when making Word documents that would help those students with a visual impairment. First, the instructor can common reasonably sized fonts, 12-point Times Roman or 12-point Ariel. Second, the online instructor can avoid using fonts of different colors. This makes is easier for people to read regardless of whether or not they possess a disability.
Donald L. Buresh
When creating word document, I like to use subtopics with title, bullets and a numbering system. I find it for students to follow along when contents are in subject matter and have bullets and numberings.
Hello Renee
To reach all learners, I keep my fonts clear and consistent. I integrate a number of different learning methods to reach various learners. By reaching multiple learners - no learner will lack proper help and resources and delivery of content is for all students in the course.
Brigitte Powell
Keeping a clean, non-cluttered, format serves all students. I think it is important to keep the stimuli down so as to not be distracting.
I would make thhe various sizes and colors. Also reader software should be verified before chat starts.
There are several easy things and instructor can do to a word document to make it more accessible to visually impaired learners. These things include using large font, spacing and organization of the document, and headers/borders. The use of color can also be used to make certain points that the instructor want to focus on stick out. The color red tends to be viewed negatively by learners and should avoid being used.
Formatting is the easiest thing to help someone with a visual impairment. This means not using harsh or irritating colors. It also includes having an appropriate contrast.
As an example, the businesses on my street recently put up a sign. It was green text on a purple sign. There was so little contrast it was barely legible even at a close distance!
Finally, size should also be considered. One should always check the document after positing. I have found that text is one size while typing, and then looks smaller after posting. That can be annoying even for a non-impaired reader.
Best,
Brian Stout
James,
One would think that addign colors and different fonts that they were enliving the course, but it can be problematic!
Renee Shaffer
Make sure the fonts and colors are acceptable to the student with visual impairment; therefore do not use a lot of colors or different fonts on every assignment.
The following will help:
1. The document should be in electronic format so that screen readers can be used.
2. Include standard headings.
3. Images should have text associated with it to describe the image.
I like to use consistent format as much as possible, however, I like to bold and/-or use large font to call out something important.
-Matthew Schwartz
Jocelyn,
So true. Besides taking away the comprehensive, it can literally be so distracting that students cannot view the materials.
Renee Shaffer
David,
Good points. It is also good to remove all the colorful lettering and fonts and use sans serif fonts.
Renee Shaffer
Hi -
Using consistent font and layout can help. Also being sure to not use animation or moving visuals that can take away from comprehension is important.
Thanks!
Jocelyn Williamson
I looked at a large number of reply's and saw a single area where we all should "walk a mile in their shoes" - we note correctly that 12pt letters are much easier to read than the smaller fonts but we should also actually read what they feel is an acceptable enlargement. There is not a lot of difference in going from 10pt to 12pt but many students are sitting in front of a screen page that needs to be closer to 20-30pt. When we do this we also can see that blowing up the letter point size ALSO requires some tweaking of the headings, titles, and graphics for the resulting image provided to the student.
Kevin,
Also try to make sure to use the ALT text feature and no columns.
Renee Shaffer
I feel that the simpler the document, the easier it will be to understand and navigate. Proper spacig of the text in sections, simple font and sizing, bold where appropriate are basic fundamentals of clear and easy to comprehend documents.
Ensure that information is clear and concise. Avoid flashy fonts and animations. Use bullet points to highlight specifics. Also, create an avenue for questions to be addressed
Not just for students with visual impairment, but standardized, easy to read formatting can help EVERYONE understand what you are teaching.
