Presented at 2:00pm in Plaza Ballroom D on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
#34089Speaker(s)
- Rachel Kruzel, Higher Education Specialist, Texthelp
- James Deignan, Business Development Director, Texthelp
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Higher ed institutions need an easy to use, cost-effective solution to help ensure the accessibility of digital content. Texthelp’s new tool, ReachDeck improves an institution’s accessibility, readability, and reach of online digital content. ReachDeck scans for readability and WCAG errors while also providing tools to support website visitors.
Abstract
Creating accessible digital content on a college campus is a necessity. All content needs to meet WCAG 2.0 or 2.1. However, many content creators are not trained in these guidelines. Given the complexities and current landscape of higher ed, any tool adopted to support this work must be easy to use, intuitive, and cost-effective.
ReachDeck, Texthelp’s newest tool supports efforts around digital accessibility and inclusion. ReachDeck’s three-pronged approach supports both campuses and visitors; ensuring all users can reach and interact with content. ReachDeck’s Auditor scans and identifies WCAG errors. It also provides a reading age, shows jargon words and long sentences; all which impact the ability to effectively read and comprehend. The Toolbar supports visitors through text-to-speech and translation. The Editor tool improves the quality of written content by identifying grammar, spelling, and readability errors. Attendees will understand how adoption can support efforts on their c
Keypoints
- Creating accessible digital content is a necessity for all college and university campuses.
- Easy to use, intuitive and cost-effective tools can help increase how many users create accessible content.
- ReachDeck is a solution campus can adopt to increase accessibility and readability of digital content.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Administrative/Campus Policy, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Rachel Kruzel
Rachel Kruzel, ATP, is the Higher Education Specialist for Texthelp where she supports higher education institutions across the United States and Canada as they explore, adopt, and implement technology based literacy, STEM, and accessibility based solutions to help create more inclusive, equitable, and accessible campuses and learning spaces for all students and campus members. She is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional and spent over ten years working as an Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist in Disability Resource Offices prior to coming to Texthelp. During her time in higher ed, she built and developed assistive technology programs at both schools she worked at, as well as coordinated the provision of accommodations. Rachel is a national expert in the areas of assistive technology, digital accessibility, accessible course materials, and accommodation provision around testing and notetaking. Rachel presents both regionally and nationally on these topics and others, as well as consults with students, parents, schools, and organizations.