Tips from our pros
Our Internal link opens in the same window:Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLL) regularly organises workshops on topics such as time management, learning methods, teaching methods and much more. The ZLL also supports lecturers in the development, implementation and further development of contemporary and innovative teaching models.
Need for accessible learning materials
“No one shall be disadvantaged because of their disability.”
(Constitution Article 3, Paragraph 3, Sentence 2).
In recent years, in addition to the Constitution, other laws and regulations have strengthened the rights of people with disabilities.
One example is the international UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (e.g. §24) - which enshrines equal access to education and information for all people in law. This requirement relates not only to the physical accessibility of education (e.g. buildings), but also to access to information in the digital space.
Digitally provided learning materials (such as videos and scripts) should also be accessible.
Learning materials can be considered barrier-free “[...] if they can be found, accessed and used by people with disabilities in the usual way, without particular difficulty and in principle without outside help. The use of disability-related aids is permitted.” (§ 4 BGG)
Creating an accessible file includes, for example, structuring a PDF with so-called tags. These also give people with disabilities access to the information with the help of assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers for reading screen content aloud). Nevertheless, all readers benefit from the preparation and structuring of a file.
Subtitled videos also benefit not only people with hearing impairments, but also non-native speakers and mobile users without headphones.
Your contact persons
Are you also active in teaching and would like support and exchange?
Please get in touch with our Learning Services team: Email application is started:learning-services(at)hfu.eu