6 Accessibility
OER publishing services at UTA are designed to empower our authors to own as much of the creation process as possible. To accomplish this, we provide robust training, technical support services, and direct access to Pressbooks, our OER publishing and distribution platform. We selected Pressbooks for creating and publishing OER in part due to their commitment to accessibility and the ease of use for built-in accessibility features. We aim to teach our creators how to design with accessibility in mind by incorporating into a required training program topics and speakers that expand our authors’ understanding of accessibility and increase their ability to create materials that meet the needs of all learners. Conversation and intervention for accessibility continue after formal OER onboarding is complete.
Though our processes and products are not perfect, we strive for growth, improvement, and transparency in all our practices. Mavs Open Press approaches accessibility as a fluid concept in that the task of implementing it in design is never truly complete. This approach encourages content creators, educators, and users alike to be vigilant in recognizing poorly designed resources, or elements within a resource, and understanding that there are always ways to improve so resources may be better used by people with the broadest range of abilities. Through learning, listening, and understanding the needs of students and educators, we can further refine, improve, and work towards a greater level of accessibility in our policies, processes, and products.
Accessibility Evaluations
Accessibility checks occur twice during the OER publishing process – once as an informal check in the early stages of OER creation and then again at the end of the production and formatting process.
- OER authors are required to request a preliminary accessibility check via a milestone reporting form early in the creation process to identify and address accessibility concerns as soon as possible. This informal evaluation reminds content creators to proactively consider accessible design choices throughout the creation process.
- Additionally, each OER undergoes a pre-publication accessibility check before its release. This final, formal check certifies that the resources published by Mavs Open Press meet our accessibility standards. Some of the categories included in our evaluation include content organization, screen reader compatibility, hyperlink functionality, color contrast, clear and consistent navigation, alternative text for images, and closed captions for multimedia.
Each OER published by Mavs Open Press undergoes spot testing using assistive technology, and a rubric containing pass/fail information and a brief summary of the accessibility results is published in each of our OER. Additionally, we developed an accessibility statement by revising a resource designed by BCcampus and include information about requesting accommodations for known accessibility i