ACCA (Accessible Course Creation Academy)

About 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.

Participants should have a working knowledge of how to create and teach a class using Canvas prior to beginning the ACCA.

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 2024 – Registration and Schedule

Registration begins on November 1, 2023.

ACCA Prerequisites and Enrollment Requirements

Reminder: This is not Canvas training. Participants should have some experience with using Canvas in a teacher role before starting this course. 

Requirements for Completion

Certificates will be issued for completion of the entire Academy. To receive the certificate of completion, participants must:

• Participate in all required discussions.
• Complete all assigned activities and exercises.

Hours Required

This is a 4-week course. Participants will need to devote approximately 12-15 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.
• Built-in or external webcam
• USB microphone

Foundations 2.0 Compensation

This academy can be used to fulfill the Foundations 2.0 opportunities for Faculty Professional Development, and welcomes all LRCCD employees who meet the enrollment requirements. Upon completion, faculty at Class I through III are eligible for 2.0 Class Salary Advancement Units.

Questions

If you have any questions about ACCA, don’t hesitate to contact the ITC at ITCtraining@arc.losrios.edu or you can email our Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator, Lori Hokerson, at hokersl@arc.losrios.edu.