Close
Close
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Background Images
Skip to Content
University of Guelph Logo
University of Guelph, Open Ed Logo
OpenEd Student PortalTechnical SupportCourse LoginSign up for Email Updates
Register Online
  • About OpenEd
    • About Us
    • Annual Report
    • Directory of Contacts
    • News
    • OpenEd Job Postings
    Open file in new window: OpenEd_CourseGuide_2020_21.pdf
    OpenEd Course Guide
  • Courses, Programs & Events
    • Winter 2021 Courses
    • Upcoming Courses & Conferences
    • Ontario Turfgrass Symposium (OTS)
    • Browse Areas of Study
    • Why Choose OpenEd?
    • Certificates & Diplomas
    • Financial Assistance
    • Travel & Accommodation
    Search for courses and programs
    Search Courses and Programs
  • Current Students
    • Learning Remotely
    • Student Services
    • Online Learning at U of G
    • Open Learning Program Calendar
    • Continuing Education Classroom Courses
    • Technical Support
    • OpenEd Covid-19 Update
    View our Student Services page
    Student Services
  • Instructor Resources
    • Remote Teaching & Learning
    • Upcoming Workshops & Events
    • Distance Education
    • Classroom Technical Support
    • Accessible Education
    • Universal Design - Best Practices for Online Learning
    • Course Outline Manager
    • Technical Support
    View our Remote Teaching & Learning page
    Remote Teaching & Learning
  • English Language Programs
    • English Language Programs Home
    • About ELP
    • Programs & Pathways
    • Current ELP Students
    • Agents
    • Contact ELP
    View our Programs and Pathways page
    Programs & Pathways
Main menu icon Menu
Main menu icon
  • Accessible Education
  • Remote Teaching & Learning
  • Upcoming Workshops & Events
  • Distance Education
  • Classroom Technical Support
  • Universal Design - Best Practices for Online Learning
  • Course Outline Manager
  • Technical Support

Contact Us

Accessible Education

Show or hide navigation More
Home/Instructor Resources/Accessible Education
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print This Page
Share This Page
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email

More in this Section...

Connect
View our news page View our Facebook page View our Twitter feed View our YouTube channel

Quick Links

Accessible education is the process of designing courses and developing a teaching style to meet the needs of learners from a variety of backgrounds, abilities and learning styles.

The term accessible education has been adopted by the University of Guelph in order to capture the value of the following two frameworks that are recognized and used for improving the accessibility of university education:

  • Universal Instructional Design (UID)
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Accessible education:

  • Takes into account a variety of student characteristics within the student body, including ethnic backgrounds, race, abilities, disabilities, age, gender, and language abilities
  • Does not compromise academic rigour
  • Is a proactive and inclusive way of teaching and designing courses and curriculum for students
  • Identifies and clearly expresses the essential course content—while recognizing that there is flexibility—or multiple methods in the way that students can express understanding of the essential course content
  • Is consistent with universally recognized principles of good teaching
  • Is consistent with the spirit of the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005
CourseLink 

Brightspace (by D2L) is the learning management system (LMS) used at the University of Guelph. Referred to as CourseLink on campus, this learning environment is compliant with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), an industry standard for creating accessible web content.

There are many built-in features of the LMS that can be adjusted to improve access for individuals with disabilities. If you are an instructor, there are some accessibility best practices that you can follow when designing your CourseLink course, including the setting of special release conditions, organizing content in a more accessible style, and using available accessible HTML templates.

For more information about accessibility and other recommended practices, visit D2L's Accessibility Resource Center or contact CourseLink Support.

Learn more about D2L's Accessibility Standards Compliance.

Accessibility Resources 
  • Accessible Instruction - Resources: Resources for course development, writing Course Outlines, creating lectures, etc. with accessibility in mind
  • WebAIM: Resources for creating accessible documents, training, and other links.
  • W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): Strategies, guidelines and resources to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities

Accessibility Initiatives

OpenEd works with other departments at the University of Guelph to provide accessibility support and guidance on campus. We are active participants in various University accessibility committees and initiatives.

Accessible Instruction

With accessibility in mind, the University has put together links to a wide range of resources for course development, writing course outlines, and creating lectures.

Visit the University of Guelph Accessible Instruction Resources page for more information.

OpenEd Accessibility Brochures 

The University of Guelph has created a series of brochures that offer helpful tips for teaching students with:

  • hearing loss
  • vision loss
  • physical disability
  • learning disability
  • mental health disability
Accessibility Events

Accessibility Conference

Directed towards attendees from the public and private sectors—including educators, IT managers and providers, web managers and content providers, course designers, and individuals who create and disseminate information—the conference raises awareness of information and communication accessibility issues and provides practical tools and strategies to incorporate accessibility into the real-world environment.

Please visit the Accessibility Conference website for more details.

Pre-Flight

Students with learning disabilities can face many unique challenges in the university setting. Pre-Flight attempts to help ease this transition with a week-long, jam-packed summer preparation program geared to give students the skills and information they need to be successful at university.

Learn more about Pre-Flight.

Accessibility Resources
  • WebAIM: Resources for creating accessible documents, training, and other links
  • W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): Strategies, guidelines and resources to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities
  • WAVE toolbar: Web accessibility evaluation tool

OpenEd also provides accessibility consultation for faculty. Please contact CourseLink Support for more information.

U of G Home PageClassroom ProfilesContact UsPrivacySite Map

© 2016 Open Learning and Educational Support