Stile Lessons can be customized to optimise accessibility for visually impaired students.
Stile can be used with screen reader software to convert digital text into synthesized speech for visually impaired students. While most question widgets in Stile Lessons are fully accessible to use with screen readers, some visual based questions are not fully accessible but can be modified to allow compatibility.
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We have suggested modifications that can be made to elements of Stile Lessons that are not fully accessible below.
Video
Currently, there are no transcripts available for videos in Stile, therefore a screen reader can’t be used with this widget.
Modification:
- The student can listen to the video.
Mind map
The mind map isn’t compatible with a screen reader.
Modification:
- Replace the question with a live poll or the brainstorm widget.
Graph
As graphs are a visual representation of data they are not completely accessible to visually impaired students.
Modifications:
- Replace the graph with a table and tabulate the data to be compatible with a screen reader;
- Add an accessibility caption to be read by a screen reader in place of the image to describe the information being relayed in the graph.
Simulations
Simulations are primarily visual interactives. Consider the intention of the simulation and replace with an accessible question type.
The following simulation appears in the Stile unit Introduction to Science, the lesson: 2.3 Lesson: Using a Bunsen Burner.
This simulation tackles the learning goal Describe and explain the safety rules for using a Bunsen Burner and is intended to explore and consolidate the student's understanding.
Modifications:
- Use a multiple choice question to select the correct order of steps that occur;
- Break the steps down into a series of true/false statements;
- Break the steps down into a series of multiple choice questions in which students have to select the correct key word to complete the sentence.
Interactive Canvas
Interactive canvas' are not compatible with screen readers. Below are some accessible alternatives to modify some interactive canvas activities along with examples.
Example 1: Drag and drop activity
This question is addressing the learning goal Explore what some different scientists do. It allows the student to demonstrate and extend their understanding of a concept:
Modification:
- The activity can be broken down into a series of true/false statements that tackle the learning goal.
Example 2: Cloze exercise/Definitions
The learning goal being tackled in this activity is describe what science is and it allows students to demonstrate their understanding.
Modification:
- The steps can be broken down into a series of multiple choice questions in which students have to select the correct statements (as demonstrated above).
You may also be interested in the following resources: