Accessibility

Get Ready for Digital Accessibility Week

Accessibility, TEL Support, Training /

As we approach our first Digital Accessibility Week (1st – 5th June 2026), it is a great time to review the current accessibility of your digital learning resources. This is particularly important as you prepare to migrate your Blackboard module content for Semester 1. Reviewing your materials now can help you identify and address accessibility issues early.

How to check the accessibility of learning resources?

Blackboard Ally is a valuable tool for identifying accessibility issues within your content and providing guidance on how to improve it.

Many of the issues highlighted by Blackboard Ally can be resolved quickly. Our 5-minute fixes resource offers practical guidance on addressing commonly identified accessibility issues in documents using Blackboard Ally.

Top tips for digital accessibility

The TEL website provides further guidance and resources to support with improving the accessibility of documents and resources. Some key aspects to consider are:

  • Adding alternative (alt) text to images
  • Using high colour contrast to ensure text stands out from the background
  • Structuring content clearly using headings and sections
  • Keeping slides or documents easy to read by limiting text and using clear, readable font sizes
  • Using meaningful link text and file names to support navigation

Further support

For more information about the events throughout digital accessibility week, including TEL drop-in sessions, please see the website link below:

Digital Accessibility Week Website

Need help? Contact us at TEL@worc.ac.uk or book a 20 minutes with TEL appointment via our Microsoft bookings page.

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Digital Accessibility Week 2026

Accessibility, Announcement, Training /

Building a More Inclusive Digital Environment

The TEL team is excited to launch Digital Accessibility Week 1st-5th June – a week dedicated to improving the accessibility of digital content across the university through practical workshops, drop-in sessions, guidance resources, and a university-wide accessibility challenge.

Digital accessibility is about making sure everyone can access and engage with digital content, including documents, webpages, presentations, and online learning materials. According to the Office for National Statistics, 17.7% of people in England and 21.1% of people in Wales identified as disabled in the 2021 Census. Accessible content helps remove barriers for many users, while also improving usability, readability, and flexibility for everyone.

Workshops, Support and the ‘500 Document Challenge’

Throughout the week, staff will have opportunities to:

  • Attend practical accessibility workshops
  • Access one-to-one support at drop-in sessions
  • Explore quick wins and five-minute fixes
  • Take part in the 500 Document Challenge to improve the accessibility of learning materials and university documents

As part of the challenge, courses across the university are encouraged to improve the accessibility of documents within Blackboard using Ally accessibility guidance and feedback. Our aim is to improve at least 500 documents to an Ally Accessibility score of 75% or above during the week.

The challenge is also an opportunity for Schools to work collaboratively to improve the accessibility of their learning materials. At the end of the week, certificates will be awarded to the School that achieves the greatest improvement in their overall Ally Accessibility score.

We’ll be sharing practical guidance on topics including:

  • Heading structures
  • Alt text
  • Accessible PDFs
  • Colour contrast
  • Accessible formatting and layout

Why Digital Accessibility Matters

Small changes can make a significant difference. Clear headings, accessible documents, captions, and meaningful structure can improve the experience for students and colleagues using assistive technologies, mobile devices, or alternative ways of accessing information.

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
— Tim Berners-Lee

Whether you are new to digital accessibility or looking to build on existing practice, Digital Accessibility Week offers practical ways to get involved and make a positive impact across the university community.

Find Out More

You can explore the full programme of events and resources here:

Reference
Office for National Statistics (2023). Disability by age, sex and deprivation, England and Wales: Census 2021. Available at: ONS Disability Statistics

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AI Knowledge Checks in Documents

Accessibility, AI, Blackboard /

The Blackboard ‘Document’ tool now includes a new AI feature for Knowledge Checks. This option enables you to either enter a question manually or autogenerate a question using the built in AI knowledge check generator. Knowledge Checks in Blackboard enhance the learning experience, they allow students to access and engage with content, then receive immediate feedback. Tutors can also view the students’ responses.

How to use documents created elsewhere

'Convert a file' option highlighted under 'Select a type of content to add a block'.

Tutors can convert word, pdf or PowerPoint files directly into html format using the Blackboard ‘Convert a file’ option.

Converting a file in this manner will result in a more accessible experience for students. Once the file has been converted, any additional formatting can be added from the formatting tool bar.

Example of a converted file.

How to add a Knowledge Check

Once the file has been converted, a knowledge check can be added to the document.

'Select a type of content to add a block' - 'Knowledge check' option highlighted.

You can create your own question or use the built in ‘Auto-generate question’ tool to create one for you. (Auto-generated questions use the Blackboard AI Design Assistant.)

'Enter my question' or 'Auto-generate question' options shown.

The question will then appear at the end of your converted document.

Examples of auto-generated questions based on content.

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Blackboard Student Preview Mode

Accessibility, Blackboard /

Photo by ©Alex

The ‘Student Preview’ feature within Blackboard is a useful tool to use as a lecturer. You can check that your course is ready for your students to access, whenever you make changes to your module content. Student Preview allows you to be certain that your course design meets expectations. The mode permits you to review whether the features you have created are accessible, easy to navigate and well thought out.

When is student preview most useful?

A range of Blackboard actions and functions can be viewed and used, when in Student Preview mode. Please see some examples below:

  • Ensuring that ‘hidden’ or ‘release by date’ menu links, files or folders have been deployed appropriately.
  • To take a Blackboard test or survey you have created.
  • Submitting assignments.
  • To check all links work for students.

How does Student Preview work?

By clicking on the eye-like icon, towards the top right-hand corner of your module, you can enter Student Preview mode. A bar will appear across the top of your page, to signal that ‘Student Preview mode is ON’.

Eye-like icon for Student Preview Mode

You will have a student preview user account created, which you can temporarily use to interact with your module. It is important that when you have completed viewing your module as a student, that you exit this mode. We recommend the option to ‘Delete the preview user and all data’. Please see further instructions in the following link:

https://lttu.uk/support/Blackboard/UltraManual/student-preview

If you are interested in learning more about the Student Preview mode, please see a link below to the Blackboard help pages:

Student Preview

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TEL Workshops and Facilitated Discussions

Leave a Comment / Accessibility, Blackboard, Camtasia, Collaborate, Panopto, PebblePad, Training, Vevox, Video /

Between now and the end of March, we will be running a series of online workshops to help staff get to grips with a range of learning technologies.  In addition to our familiar sessions, we will also be running five facilitated discussions covering topics such as moving tuition online, student engagement and best practice using PebblePad. Staff will have the opportunity to share their experiences and learn new approaches from colleagues, guided by members of the Technology Enhanced Learning Unit.

 

Blackboard Made Simple  25th January, 10.15 – 11.15 
Collaborate Virtual Classroom  27th January, 10:15 – 11:15am 
Using Tests and Surveys in Blackboard  3rd February, 10.15 – 11.30 
Blackboard Accessibility and Ally  5th February, 10.15 – 11.30 
Facilitated discussion – moving to online teaching: what works?  8th February, 11.15 – 12.15 
Camtasia  10th February, 10.15 – 11.30 
Using Blackboard for Blended and Mobile Learning  12th February, 10.15 – 11.30 
Recording from your Desktop using Panopto  17th February, 10.15 – 11.30 
Vevox Polling Software  19th February, 10.15 – 1130 
Facilitated discussion: Good practice with PebblePad  3rd March, 10.15 – 11.30 
Assessing student presentations online using Collaborate and Panopto  11th March, 10.15 – 11.30 
Facilitated discussion: approaches to online assessment 17th March, 10.15 – 11.15 
Facilitated discussion: recording teaching sessions tips and tricks  25th March, 10.15 – 11.15 

If you are interested in attending any of these sessions, please sign up via the Staff Development Workshops pages on the staff portal.

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TEL November Workshops

Leave a Comment / Accessibility, Blackboard, Camtasia, Collaborate, Panopto, Training, Turnitin, Vevox /

Following the fantastic response to our September workshops, we will be running another series of online training sessions throughout November.

All sessions run from 10:15 to 11:15 and will take place online via Collaborate. Guest links will be emailed to the attendees before the session.

  • Thursday 5th November – Using tests and surveys in Blackboard
  • Monday 9th November – Recording from your desktop using Panopto
  • Tuesday 10th November – Blackboard accessibility and Ally
  • Wednesday 11th November – Camtasia
  • Tuesday 17th November – Collaborate Virtual Classroom
  • Thursday 19th November – Vevox polling software
  • Tuesday 24th November – Using Blackboard for blended and mobile learning
  • Thursday 26th November – Assessing Student Presentations online using Collaborate and Panopto

If you are interested in attending, please sign up via the Staff Development Workshops pages on the Staff Portal. Places are set at 20 but, if overbooked (within reason), will likely be extended to include the waiting list.

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