Accessible Digital Text
What do we mean by "Accessible Digital Text"?
Accessible digital text is any text that can be read and interpreted by a computer or other electronic device. The words written on this page are accessible digital text. A scanned PDF is not. Accessible digital text can also be called e-text or electronic text. You may also get requests from students for material in "alternate format". This is an accommodation received through Student Accessibility Services for students with various types of print disabilities.
Why are we doing this?
Creating materials in accessible digital text makes those materials EXTREMELY useful.
How you can use it
- Use the built-in Immersive Reader, a text-to-speech program, or a screen reader to have the text read out loud
- Translate the text to another language (using the Immersive Reader or other tool)
- Easily highlight text to take notes to study for exams or write papers
- Accurately copy citation information
How users can benefit from it
- Students suffering from traumatic brain injury, migraines, or "Zoom fatigue" can listen to their reading material instead of taking in the information visually
- Students using screen readers or Braille displays can access their educational material independently
- Students who are short on time can optimize their time by listening to content while working out, driving, or doing other activities that prevent visual reading
- Faculty can similarly listen to content created by students, reducing the amount of time looking at computer screens
Examples
An example of something that is NOT accessible digital text
LakeRandall_EnactingRedPower.pdf Download LakeRandall_EnactingRedPower.pdf
Another example
OtherEuropeBulgariaSmokeandBeers.pdf Download OtherEuropeBulgariaSmokeandBeers.pdf
An example of something that IS accessible digital text
Alexander-Anievas-and-Kerem-Nisanciog.pdf Download Alexander-Anievas-and-Kerem-Nisanciog.pdf
How do we do it?
Pages created within Canvas are inherently accessible, as long as content is presented as text and not images (or inaccessible documents). Review course materials and textbooks to determine whether they are also accessible. If students are required to use textbooks, check to see whether an electronic version will serve (check Amazon or contact the publisher). If you assign course readings, is an accessible version available? If not, can you find an accessible version through the library? If you have further questions, talk with library staff or SAS.
Check Your Work
Are your course materials accessible? There is an easy way to check. You can upload any document to a text-to-speech reader to hear how the text is read (or not). An easy one to use is called NaturalReader Links to an external site.. Simply drag a document to the screen to upload it to the reader.