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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="94615" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/94615">
  <Title>Instructional Tech Training about Accessibility</Title>
  <Tagline>Find, Fix and Create Accessible Content for all learners</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div>Creating accessible content and interactions to support diverse learning
     preferences are the guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning
     (UDL) and support a wide range of learners, whether or not they identify as a person with a disability.</div><div><br></div><div>More information on <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">upcoming trainings for faculty online teaching enhancement, especially for supporting accessible course materials is posted on the Instructional Technology myUMBC page</a>.  <br></div><div><br></div><div>Can't wait to learn more?  Sign up for <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/84383" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">the next Ally training here. (Thursday).</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Want to know more about what Instructional Technology is training about? Here is more detail from their post:</div><div><br></div><div>Improving 
    the accessibility of course content not only helps ensure students with 
    different abilities can access materials, but it improves the learning 
    experience for everyone, including those who use mobile devices. </div><div><span><br></span></div><span>T</span><span>heir
     workshops  offer ideas for developing a +1 strategy to improve your 
    course accessibility and highlight tools to get started. </span><div><span>These tools start with </span><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Blackboard Ally</a>. A<span>vailable in</span><span> both
     Original and Ultra courses, Ally scans content in Blackboard and 
    provides feedback and tools to identify and fix accessibility issues. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Leverage <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431280" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally's powerful alternative format</a> options
     yourself, and let students know they can download content in multiple 
    formats that give them choices in how they watch, read, or listen. </div><div><br><br></div></div>
]]>
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  <Summary>Creating accessible content and interactions to support diverse learning  preferences are the guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning  (UDL) and support a wide range of learners,...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/84383</Website>
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  <Tag>abilities</Tag>
  <Tag>accessibility</Tag>
  <Tag>accommodation</Tag>
  <Tag>ally</Tag>
  <Tag>blind</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>faculty</Tag>
  <Tag>low</Tag>
  <Tag>online</Tag>
  <Tag>student</Tag>
  <Tag>teaching</Tag>
  <Tag>training</Tag>
  <Tag>vision</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <Sponsor>Office of Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</Sponsor>
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  <PostedAt>Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:19:07 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="92726" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/92726">
  <Title>Tips and Resources for Providing an Accessible Online Course</Title>
  <Tagline>Blackboard Ally and Beyond</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div>During a recent University System of Maryland online gathering ,
    our Assistant Vice Provost jointly presented with College Park about 
    tips and strategies for digital accessibility.  We work in partnership 
    with DoIT, and directly with Instructional Technology, beyond our 
    collaboration and communication with faculty and the Faculty Development
     Center.  We are broadly sharing resources campus-wide to refresh awareness, including: <br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://umbc.app.box.com/file/650983553155" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Tips for Creating an Accessible Online Course (from Educause) <br></a></div><div>which is also posted on <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/resources/information-for-faculty/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> SDS's Information for Faculty Resource website (link)</a>. and<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/faculty/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Faculty Accommodation Guidelines/FAQ for Remote Instruction (link).  <br></a></div><div><br></div><div>These postings supplement and complement ongoing work with <a href="https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">DoIT's</a> <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Instructional Technology office</a>, their department supports Blackboard, Ultra, Collaborate, <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally (Accessibility information linked here)</a> and more.  UMBC's DoIT has a strong and enduring association with Educause that informs the drive for inclusive excellence online. <span>The
    collaboration between Student Disability Services, students with accommodations,
    Instructional Technology and faculty/Faculty Development began when course
    content started  to<a href="https://covid19.umbc.edu/students/online-instruction/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> shift online and continues today</a>.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Faculty can learn more about Instructional Technology's web-based  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/92599" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">PIVOT training here. </a>The Planning Instructional Variety for Online Training was mentioned during this week's online Student Town Hall.  Additional <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Supported+Technologies" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">FAQ information</a> and technology-based training options are also available through DoIT.<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/91979" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Voicethread training, and Universal Design for Learning is being promoted by Intstructional Technology via this link</a>. (Lots of captioning provided via <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=96538639" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this app during URCAD</a> - it's not just for faculty!)</div><div><br></div><div><div>On a broader scale, UMBC is active with the Association of Higher 
    Education and Disability (AHEAD).  The next Maryland meeting includes 
    collaboration with IT and instructional Technology Departments to 
    continue on the path of inclusive excellence.<br></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div>A  gentle reminder - <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility and Disability Services</a> remains a 
    resource for anyone fielding a UMBC-related accessibility question or 
    concern.  ADS and <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services</a> are also available for 
    accommodation questions and intakes during this period of telework, 
    and distance learning, including if there is a change in the need for accommodation. Details can be found here:<br></div><div><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a></div><div><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Faculty, staff and student employee accommodation information (link</a>)</div><div><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Academic (Student) Accommodation/SDS link</a><br></div><div><br></div><div> <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility Concerns may be reported to our office via this link</a> at any time.  Office staff can be reached via 410-455-5745 and <a href="mailto:slazar@umbc.edu">slazar@umbc.edu</a> during regular business hours.  <br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><span>Photo of Sign reading You Got This Next to a laptop by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@prateekkatyal?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Prateek Katyal</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/you've-got-this?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Unsplash</a></span></div></div></div></div>
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  </Body>
  <Summary>During a recent University System of Maryland online gathering , our Assistant Vice Provost jointly presented with College Park about  tips and strategies for digital accessibility.  We work in...</Summary>
  <Website>https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/faculty/</Website>
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  <Tag>accessibility</Tag>
  <Tag>accommodation</Tag>
  <Tag>ally</Tag>
  <Tag>assistantship</Tag>
  <Tag>blackboard</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>distance</Tag>
  <Tag>educause</Tag>
  <Tag>faculty</Tag>
  <Tag>graduate</Tag>
  <Tag>learning</Tag>
  <Tag>online</Tag>
  <Tag>panopto</Tag>
  <Tag>student</Tag>
  <Tag>ta</Tag>
  <Tag>telework</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
  <GroupUrl>https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility</GroupUrl>
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  <Sponsor>Office of Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</Sponsor>
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  <PostedAt>Fri, 01 May 2020 13:49:36 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Fri, 01 May 2020 14:18:56 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="90314" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/90314">
  <Title>Calling All Faculty! Accessible Course Training with Ally!</Title>
  <Tagline>How to Reach and Teach All Abilities with Ally</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><p><span>Have you met Ally?  Sign up for a proper introduction with Instructional Technology's training here:  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/79747">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/79747</a></span></p><p>When:  February 12th at noon</p><p>Where: Online - from the comfort of where you access Blackboard!</p><p>From Instructional Technology on the what-to-do:</p><p><span>Come to this webinar and learn about </span><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally</a><span> and what it can do to help you remediate course materials to improve accessibility for all. This orientation will showcase Ally’s powerful file conversion tools that</span><span> provide alternative formats and expand students' options about how they want to engage with content.</span></p><p><span>This session will also help you move beyond content remediation into a more proactive approach, one where you find or create more accessible course materials from day one.</span></p><p><span>Finally, we will review strategies on how to create accessible content, including tools to help with Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint, lecture videos, and images.</span></p><p><span><strong>Workshop Objectives</strong></span></p><p><span>Upon completion of the workshop, participants should be able to:</span></p><ul><li><span>Review key barriers that hinder the accessibility of content.</span></li><li><span>Interpret Ally indicators and reports to effectively remediate course materials. </span></li><li><span>Review Ally's alternative formats available to students.</span></li><li><span>Identify accessibility tools that help you create accessible content. </span></li><li><span>Create a basic strategy to address content accessibility in your course, including which tools you plan to use.</span></li></ul><p>The webinar will take place in a Blackboard Collaborate virtual conference room. Use the link below to enter the webinar up to 15 minutes before the start time:</p><div><a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fus.bbcollab.com%2Fguest%2FF86094D72DC738A34DDA685549B72E78" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/F86094D72DC738A34DDA685549B72E78</a>  <br><br><strong>Prior to the session</strong></div><div><div>If this is your first time joining one of our webinars, please review <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.blackboard.com%2FCollaborate%2FUltra%2FParticipant%2FGet_Started%2FStart_Here_With_The_Basics" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Getting Started Guide</a>. You will also find additional helpful information for using Blackboard Collaborate at our extensive <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.umbc.edu%2Fdisplay%2Ffaq%2FBlackboard%2BCollaborate" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">FAQs</a>. </div><div><br>For the best viewing experience, we recommend using Chrome or a recent browser update. Webinars are bandwidth intensive, so closing any unnecessary browser tabs will help conserve your bandwidth. After joining the session, please <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.blackboard.com%2FCollaborate%2FUltra%2FParticipant%2FGet_Started%2FAudio_and_Video_Set_Up" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">configure your audio</a>. </div><div><br>The session will be recorded if two or more people attend and the link will be distributed to everyone who registered.</div><div><br></div></div><p><span>For more information about Ally at UMBC, please <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/82487" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">see this announcement</a> and <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/2IGdB" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">the FAQ collection</a>.</span></p></div>
]]>
  </Body>
  <Summary>Have you met Ally?  Sign up for a proper introduction with Instructional Technology's training here:  https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/79747  When:  February 12th at...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/79747</Website>
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  <Tag>accommodation</Tag>
  <Tag>ally</Tag>
  <Tag>blackboard</Tag>
  <Tag>blind</Tag>
  <Tag>caption</Tag>
  <Tag>convert</Tag>
  <Tag>course</Tag>
  <Tag>deaf</Tag>
  <Tag>digital</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>hearing</Tag>
  <Tag>impairment</Tag>
  <Tag>instructional</Tag>
  <Tag>learning</Tag>
  <Tag>low</Tag>
  <Tag>materials</Tag>
  <Tag>men-s-basketball</Tag>
  <Tag>online</Tag>
  <Tag>remediation</Tag>
  <Tag>student</Tag>
  <Tag>technology</Tag>
  <Tag>vision</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <Sponsor>Office of Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</Sponsor>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="88083" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/88083">
    <Title>Designing Courses Inclusively for Students w/Disabilities</Title>
    <Tagline>Faculty know-how w/Blackboard Ally &amp; UMBC Instructional Tech</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/87608" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Instructional Technology is hosting a series of events for National Distance Learning Week</a>, and many of concepts and skills that are imparted directly support better outcomes for students with disabilities.  These same strategies also work for faculty and staff with disabilities who use Blackboard to communicate with their classes, senates or groups.  <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Blackboard Ally</a> has features and tools to support how content is shared with distance learners which can include a higher proportion of students with disabilities.<div><br></div><div>Universal Design for Learning, Accessible Content and Blackboard Ally is a one-hour session on Tuesday November 5, 2019 at noon, which includes lunch if you RSVP, and it also has an online option via Blackboard Collaborate.  Details are here: <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76798" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76798</a></div><div><br></div><div>Additional course offerings next week can also increase accessibility of course materials, such as the adoption of <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76804" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Open Educational Resources, during which faculty share their experience with OER, use cases and resources</a>.<br><div><br></div><div>We want more accessibility in course design, and we hope to see you there!</div><div><br></div><div>Accompanying thumbnail image:  hand holding sign stating "we want more"</div></div></div>
      ]]>
    </Body>
    <Summary>Instructional Technology is hosting a series of events for National Distance Learning Week, and many of concepts and skills that are imparted directly support better outcomes for students with...</Summary>
    <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76798</Website>
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    <Tag>cripple</Tag>
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    <Tag>distance</Tag>
    <Tag>faculty</Tag>
    <Tag>handicap</Tag>
    <Tag>instruction</Tag>
    <Tag>learning</Tag>
    <Tag>staff</Tag>
    <Tag>student</Tag>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="87430" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/87430">
  <Title>Make your PowerPoints Accessible w/Instructional Technology</Title>
  <Tagline>Be an Accessible Content Ally with your PowerPoints!</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><div><br>Are your PowerPoint presentations accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload PowerPoint presentations into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has the same opportunity to access the materials, based on an individual's abilities. </div><div><br></div><div><strong><em>Instructional Technology is conveniently offering this online, one-hour course on November 13th at noon.  Click on the Visit Website button below to register through myUMBC.</em></strong></div><div><br></div><div>Microsoft PowerPoint is widely used to distribute content and information. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are often faced with an array of challenges when accessing PowerPoint presentations. According to the Quality Matters rubric for assessing courses, “course design [and content] should reflect a commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners, ensuring they can access all course content and activities.” </div><div><br></div><div>Join us to learn how you can make your PowerPoint Presentations more accessible. Remember: accessible content is good content! </div></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Objectives</strong></div><div>Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:</div><div><ul><li>Update to the latest version of Microsoft Office through UMBC's Office 365 license </li><li>Utilize headers, formatting tools, and text styles rather than stylizing text</li><li>Modify alt text on images and shapes for screen-readers</li><li>Explain the importance of layout stylization and its impact on accessibility, like creating table headers, or splitting text into multiple columns </li><li>Review accessibility through the Read Aloud, Check Accessibility, and Ally tools   </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>About Ally</strong></div><div><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431271" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally </a>is a tool used for instructors to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431289" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">receive feedback on the accessibility of their content</a>, coupled with instructions on how to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431315" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">improve the accessibility of their content</a>. Additionally, Ally automatically <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431260" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">creates alternative versions of files </a>which allows students to choose the type of file they want that best suits their needs. To learn more about Ally, visit our <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">extensive FAQ collection</a>. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Accessible Content Ally Badge</strong></div><div>Instructional Technology will be awarding the Accessible Content Ally Badge to instructors who complete all of the following trainings:</div><div><ul><li>Making Word Docs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PowerPoints Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PDFs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Any Ally Orientation -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li></ul></div></div>
]]>
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  <Summary>Are your PowerPoint presentations accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload PowerPoint presentations into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/73357</Website>
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  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="87429" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/87429">
    <Title>Make your Word Documents Accessible</Title>
    <Tagline>Be an Accessible Content Ally with your Word Docs!</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><div><br>Are your Microsoft Word documents accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload Word docs into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has the same opportunity to access the materials, based on an individual's abilities. Come see what this is about with Instructional Technology's training on Thursday October 31st at 11:30 in ENG 102.  Follow the link below to reserve your space and get it on your calendar.</div><div><br></div><div>Microsoft Word is widely used for document creation and distribution. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are often faced with an array of challenges when accessing Word documents. According to the Quality Matters rubric for assessing courses, “course design [and content] should reflect a commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners, ensuring they can access all course content and activities.” </div><div><br></div><div>Join us to learn how you can make your Word documents more accessible. Remember: accessible content is good content! </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Objectives</strong></div><div>Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:</div><div><ul><li>Update to the latest version of Microsoft Office through UMBC's Office 365 license </li><li>Utilize headers, formatting tools, and text styles rather than stylizing text</li><li>Modify alt text on images and shapes for screen-readers</li><li>Explain the importance of layout stylization and its impact on accessibility, like creating table headers, or splitting text into multiple columns </li><li>Review accessibility through the Read Aloud, Check Accessibility, and Ally tools   </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>About Ally</strong></div><div><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431271" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally </a>is a tool used for instructors to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431289" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">receive feedback on the accessibility of their content</a>, coupled with instructions on how to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431315" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">improve the accessibility of their content</a>. Additionally, Ally automatically <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431260" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">creates alternative versions of files </a>which allows students to choose the type of file they want that best suits their needs. To learn more about Ally, visit our <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">extensive FAQ collection</a>. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Accessible Content Ally Badge</strong></div><div>Instructional Technology will be awarding the Accessible Content Ally Badge to instructors who complete all of the following trainings:</div><div><ul><li>Making Word Docs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PowerPoints Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PDFs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Any Ally Orientation -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li></ul></div></div>
      ]]>
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    <Summary>Are your Microsoft Word documents accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload Word docs into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has the same...</Summary>
    <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/73354</Website>
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    <PostedAt>Wed, 09 Oct 2019 01:57:56 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="86765" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/86765">
  <Title>What is it like living with a disability? Veterans share</Title>
  <Tagline>Explained so even a 5 year-old can understand it</Tagline>
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    <div class="html-content"><div>In our post-9/11 experience, we have more people, including more veterans, who have survived traumatic events and are navigating life with a disability.  Here are two examples:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Life with an invisible disability</a>:  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:  <a href="https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao">https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao</a> *</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Life after an injury</a>: <a href="https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4">https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4</a> *</div><div><br></div><div>Both videos include the journey from "before" to their current lived experience, including family caregiver perspectives.  Some of the experiences are similar for people who have survived trauma resulting in disability, such as being hit by a car as a pedestrian.  Both videos include people who may come to a campus for academic, work, and event purposes. What are the strat<span>egies they use to be successful that might work at UMBC?</span></div><div><br></div><div><em><strong>Find support and ask for help.</strong></em></div><div><br></div><div>When an incoming or current undergraduate or graduate student is working with a licensed health care professional (including VA providers) accommodations for academic life are requested through Student Disability Services: <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://sds.umbc.edu</a>.  <span>The student accommodation process is available online through the website and is described here:  </span><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/registering-with-sds/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/registering-with-sds/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Students seeking local support can reach out to the <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Counseling Center </a>and <a href="https://uhs.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">University Health Services</a></div><div><br></div><div>Employees with disabilities may also request <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">work-related accommodations</a>.  The process is available here: <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/</a></div><div><br></div><div><div>For others who might want to help - the person with a disability takes the lead with asking for accommodation as a matter of respect and dignity. They are students and employees here because they have the qualifications for the role.  Accommodations are handled confidentially, so it is entirely possible that a classmate, workmate or a bystander might be the nth person to offer unsolicited advice for something that is well-covered.  How new is the person to their health condition? How new are they to UMBC? Is this related to your role with the person with a disability?  How new is a potential ally to working with someone with a disability?  <a href="https://youtu.be/Gv1aDEFlXq8" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">This linked video helps those who are very new to engaging with people with disabilities</a>. Do what you would do with anyone on campus: be present, listen, and reflect before acting, and ask the person involved. If it's a technical question, the disability professionals on campus are only a phone call away: 410-455-2459 or 410-455-5745.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong><em>Self-Care</em></strong></div><div><br></div><div>Self-care on campus can include a variety of activities that are part of the <span>UMBC Wellness Initiative: </span><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://wellness.umbc.edu/</a><span>  and are available to people of all abilities.  Some activities include taking a Zumba or Yoga class, as well as using the weight room or going for a swim at the RAC (the pools have lifts).  Taking a walk around the loop or on the CERA trail. Accessing <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">resources through the Counseling Center,</a> such as the Mind Spa is an option. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Connecting with people who know the journey, including successes and struggles, can also be a part of self-care.  UMBC Student Veterans have more information and resources on their website:  <a href="https://veterans.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://veterans.umbc.edu/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Getting busy with other people can also help, and there are several service and social action student organizations listed here for joining or volunteering:  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/studentorgs" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/studentorgs</a> including<a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/retrievets" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Retrievets</a> some are  health-related such as Red Cross and UMBC-NAMI, and much, much more. Just like they say on the airplane, take care of your own oxygen first.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Take good care, all!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As a community that cares, accessibility concerns, may be reported here:  <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/</a>  If it is a repair, call it in to Work Control first: 410-455-2550, as they coordinate sending out the repairpersons.</div><div><br></div><div>*Both videos are from Sesame Street in the Community resources and are accessible for adults.  Their work is here:  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEgW3r4ytXwd9UfQySv_Nw" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEgW3r4ytXwd9UfQySv_Nw</a> and includes many, many videos that often involve muppets</div></div>
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  <Summary>In our post-9/11 experience, we have more people, including more veterans, who have survived traumatic events and are navigating life with a disability.  Here are two examples:     Life with an...</Summary>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:08:25 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:29:54 -0400</EditAt>
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