As campus efforts continue to meet Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, the digital accessibility team is providing weekly articles on creating accessible content.
This week’s features running accessible Video Conferences using Zoom.
Video conferences (Zoom)
Video conferences are an important part of teaching, learning and campus communication. Just as people structure documents and emails for accessibility, one must also ensure that live virtual meetings are accessible to all participants. Some participants rely on visual cues, such as slides and on-screen text. Others rely on auditory information. Still others depend on text-based supports such as captions. When meetings are not structured or features are not enabled, participants may miss essential information. Thoughtful planning and use of Zoom’s built-in tools can help ensure equitable access:
- Enable live captions. Zoom includes built-in automated captions. While automated captions are not required, enabling them improves clarity and access for many participants, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, participants in noisy environments, and those who benefit from reading along while listening. Before beginning a meeting, confirm that captions are enabled in your Zoom settings. Taking this simple step helps ensure that all participants can follow the discussion more easily.
- Describe visual content. When sharing your screen, slides or other visual materials, be sure to describe important content aloud. Avoid phrases such as “as you can see here” without also explaining what is being shown. If you display charts, images or diagrams, briefly summarize the key information they contain. When important questions or comments appear in the chat, read them aloud so participants who may not be monitoring the chat or who use assistive technology can access the same information. These practices ensure that visual information is communicated in multiple ways.
- Provide clear structure. Structure improves accessibility in live meetings. When possible, share an agenda in advance using accessible formatting. During the meeting, use clear transitions between topics and signal when you are moving to a new section. In larger meetings, identify yourself before speaking. Avoid speaking over others and allow pauses for questions.
Professional development and support
To further assist the campus community, the following list includes various professional development opportunities:
- A second Digital Accessibility Summit is planned for March. More details to be announced in the coming weeks.
- The Digital Accessibility team is available to visit departments, offices, or student groups for training or discussion.
Additional learning opportunities include:
- Accessibility tutorials on creating and checking accessible documents
- The asynchronous “Access: A Quest Toward Inclusion” course
- SUNY Access for All webinar series
- Winter breakout workshop recordings through CELT
- Digital Accessibility website resources
Staying informed
Additional updates on campus accessibility efforts and Title II implementation will continue to be shared through Oswego Today and occasional campus emails.
Creating an inclusive digital environment is a shared responsibility. Thank you for your attention to this important initiative and for helping ensure that SUNY Oswego remains a welcoming, accessible community for all.
–- Submitted by members of the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee and the Workgroup on Accessibility Practices who can be reached at accessibilitypractices@oswego.edu