ARC Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA)

ARC Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA)

The ARC Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA)  guides participants with creating accessible course content in their own courses. This completely online course provides a thorough explanation of accessibility within online, hybrid or web-enhanced courses. It focuses on the skills instructors need to make their courses compliant with Federal laws (ADA and Section 508 standards), technologically accessible, and culturally responsive for a broad range of students. The course covers how to use online tools, including Canvas–our course management system (CMS), to create accessible resources, retrofit existing resources, and curate new resources through exploration and hands-on demonstrations of effective practices in accessibility. The focal point of the course is learning how to use editors (both in Canvas and in common software, such as Microsoft Word) to enhance accessibility. In addition to creating an overarching accessibility plan for their courses, instructors learn how to:

• Create accessible content pages, discussions, and assignments in Canvas;
• Create accessible documents, such as Word and PDFs;
• Create closed-captions for videos.

The ACCA is composed of six modules and is taught entirely online. While the ACCA is taught within Canvas affording opportunities for participants to learn and use the different tools and functions for future classes, this is not a Canvas training class. Participants are required to either have attended a Canvas Basics (3-hour) workshop within the last six months, completed Foundations 1.0, or be currently using Canvas in their courses, BEFORE attending ANY of the Accessible Course Creation Academy sessions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Define accessibility and explain the pertinent Federal, State, and District requirements
• Explain the purpose of creating accessible content
• Identify barriers to access
• Explain the assistive technology/design techniques needed to overcome barriers
• List campus resources available to assist you and your students with accessibility issues
• Create accessible content within your Canvas courses
• Create accessible documents using Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and/or PDF
• Evaluate multimedia content for accessibility
• Caption video
• Check curated resources for accessibility using online tools
• Develop a comprehensive plan for creating an accessible online course

Spring 2023 Schedule

American River College Spring ACCA is scheduled from January 27, 2023 through March 23, 2023.

ACCA Prerequisites and Enrollment Requirements

This is not Canvas Training!

• Participants must have attended a Canvas training within the last six months, completed an alternative professional development activity such as the Los Rios Foundations of Canvas Course Design, 3CSN Canvas 101 & 102 courses, or the @One Introduction to Teaching with Canvas – Self-Paced; or be currently using Canvas in your courses BEFORE beginning the Accessible Course Creation Academy.
• You must know how to use Canvas and how to utilize the Canvas tools to create effective accessible online content!

Requirements for Completion

To receive the certificate of completion, you must complete all of the following:

• Participation in all required discussions
• Completion of all assigned activities and exercises throughout all six modules

Certificates will be issued for completion of the entire Academy.

Hours Required

This is a 6-week course. Participants will need to devote approximately 6-10 hours per week to reading, online discussions, and assignments.

Recommended Skills

• Proficient computer skills (use of word processor, e-mail, file management)
• Proficient Internet skills (use of browsers, searches, uploading and downloading files)
• Familiarity with discussion boards
• Experience in an online learning environment as either a student or instructor

Technical Requirements

• Access to a PC or Mac with a current operating system
• Current version of a browser
• Internet connection, preferably broadband (DSL speeds)
• Built-in or external webcam
• USB microphone

Incomplete Policy

Participants may request an incomplete in the ACCA if they have met the attendance requirements and have finished at least 60% of the work. Incomplete work must be finished within one year, or the entire Academy must be repeated.

Special Compensation Information for Spring 2023 Foundations 2 Professional Development Opportunity

If you have already completed the Online Teaching Institute (OTI) and would like to enroll in the ARC  Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA) to fulfill the Foundation 2 Professional Development opportunity, when you register you will be asked to select from the following compensation options as agreed to by the LRCFT and LRCCD:

Full-Time Faculty select one option –

• 1.33 Units of Salary Class Advancement
• Stipend $1,691.20
• 40 College Service Hours

Part-Time Faculty select one option –

• 1.33 Units of Salary Class Advancement
• Stipend $1,691.20

Upon successful completion of the course, your name will be forwarded to district for automatic issuance of the compensation option you pre-selected.

Additional Notes

Priority will be given to ARC employees who have not completed a previous ACCA and who are scheduled to teach online at ARC.

Registration is now closed

For other Foundations 2.0 options for Spring 2023, please check this Los Rios Foundations 2.0 webpage.

Interested in a self-paced version of this course? This version does not include interactivity with your peers, and is not eligible for salary advancement credit, but would be a great professional development project during a break. Click here to join the Los Rios Accessible Course Creation Academy Self-Paced Course course.

Questions about the Accessible Course Creation Academy? Contact Alice Dieli dielia@arc.losrios.edu (916) 484-8996 or Pamela Bimbi bimbip@arc.losrios.edu (916) 484-8103.