What does universal design mean for you as an instructor?
All instructional materials you upload to websites, Canvas, and other digital services at UiO should be universally designed in accordance with the regulations for universal design of ICT (Lovdata).
This includes correct use of headings, colors and contrast ratios, and providing text alternatives for images, videos, and audio.
Three useful pages with tips:
- Universal design of content and teaching material (in Norwegian).
- Five quick tips for creating universally designed content in Canvas
- Support tool for Canvas: Ally
EILIN's frontline can assist you
EILIN's front line can assist you with universal design of:
- Organizing Canvas by using Ally
- Power Point (and similar tools)
- Captioning podcasts and videos
Captioning of educational videos
The frontline uses UiO's service Autotekst, which is highly effective. In case of high demand, EILIN will prioritize as follows:
- Pre-recorded videos
- Courses with students requiring accommodations
- Lectures in SVEXFAC03
We also offer training in captioning for student assistants and others.
Useful resources
EILIN has gathered some useful resources for you as an educator, making it easier for you to find what you need to excel in universal design.
Tools
- Ally: Accessibility support in Canvas.
- Autotekst – automatic transcription for speech to text
- Automatic check for accessibility issues on websites in Vortex (in Norwegian)
Guides
Introduction to universal design (The Authority for Universal Design of ICT)
E-course in Canvas: Universal design of documents and websites (in Norwegian)
Laws and guidelines
- Universal design in education (in Norwegian)
- Regulation on universal design of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions - Lovdata (in Norwegian)
- UiO's policy for captioning instructional videos (in Norwegian)
Literature (in Norwegian)
Pilot project: universal design for learning
EILIN is collaborating with USIT on a pilot project on universal design for learning. The project aims to increase knowledge and competence in universal design at the Faculty of Social Sciences:
- How can universal design enhance learning outcomes for everyone without compromising them?
- What resources do the units need to ensure the implementation of universal design?
- What is the user experience of students and instructors?
- What barriers exist?
In the project, 1-3 courses will be piloted, designed in accordance with the requirements of the regulations. The courses will be evaluated through questionnaires for students and interviews with instructors and administration.
The project runs from autumn 2022 to spring 2025. The project has received funding from SK-ITU.