Digital Inclusion & Accessibility in Education by Darcy Milam https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7 A Teacher's Guide to Creating Inclusive Digital Learning Experiences en-us 2025-07-20 07:04:51 UTC 2025-07-22 04:41:13 UTC hello@padlet.com What is Digital Inclusion? dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150851 Digital inclusion is defined by the United Nations as “equitable, meaningful, and safe access to use, lead, and design of digital technologies, services, and associated opportunities for everyone, everywhere”.

]]> 2025-07-20 07:04:52 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150851 Why Digital Inclusion Matters dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150855 Access to and effective use of technology are essential in many areas of daily life, from applying for jobs to staying informed or accessing vital services. As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure all students are prepared to think critically, communicate effectively, and use technology productively as members of a global society. Digital inclusion and accessibility promote equity by ensuring that every student—regardless of background or ability—has the tools and skills needed not only for academic success but for lifelong participation in an increasingly digital world.

]]> 2025-07-20 07:04:53 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150855 Text Accessibility dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150856

  • Use headings appropriately

  • Use clear, readable fonts (sans-serif recommended)

  • Avoid using all caps, color, italics, or bold to convey meaning

  • Maintain high contrast between text and background

  • Left justified for screen readers

    • ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150856     Multimedia Accessibility dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150857

  • Alt text for images

  • Closed captions for videos

  • Provide transcripts

  • Ensure audio quality is clear

  • Allow control over audio/video playback

    • ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150857     Key Strategies dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150858 This video by the University of Connecticut highlights the importance of developing accessible course materials and outlines key strategies for doing so.

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150858     Accessibility Checklist dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150860 Before sharing materials, use this quick accessibility checklist.

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150860     Testing Your Materials dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150861 Use the mnemonic SLIDE, created by AEM:

    • Styles are used for section headings.

    • Links are descriptive and meaningful.

    • Images have text descriptions.

    • Design is perceivable, with high contrast.

    • Evaluation is holistic and authentic.

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150861     Making Documents Accessible dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150865 The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a resource page with guidance on making various types of documents accessible, including Microsoft Word documents, PDFs, and converting graphics to text.

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:55 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150865     Universal Design for Learning Guidelines dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150869 CAST's UDL Guidelines provide "a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities."

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:57 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150869     Making Tables Accessible dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150874 North Dakota State University's Information Technology Division provides guidelines for making accessible tables, along with a helpful checklist at the bottom of the page.

    ]]>     2025-07-20 07:04:58 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3524150874     Accessibility Checker dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525620778 Run through an accessibility checker:

    ]]>     2025-07-22 03:31:22 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525620778     AI and Digital Inclusion dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525677813 The World Economic Forum discusses how AI can drive digital inclusion by expanding access to education and connectivity, while recognizing the need for supportive policy and strategic investment.

    ]]>     2025-07-22 04:24:19 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525677813     Padlet Accessibility Tips dmilam9 https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525694401 This web page by Illinois State University offers accessibility tips for Padlet.

    ]]>     2025-07-22 04:38:36 UTC https://padlet.com/dmilam9/l8b3n07wf10nc3b7/wish/3525694401