Here, we provide templates for classifying accessibility issues found in course materials. These templates can be used to systematically document and categorize accessibility issues, making it easier to address them effectively.

Classification

  • Platform: The medium in which the issue was found: Ed, section slides, or lecture PowerPoint presentations.
  • Course Element: The course element (e.g., reading, lesson, assignment) in which the issue appeared.
  • Format: Based on each platform’s affordances, issues were categorized by format—such as Video, Text, Image, Animated GIF, Drawing, and Shapes/Objects.
  • Reference: The specific location of the issue (e.g. “lecture 7, slide 18”) allowed us to locate the issue for later remediation.
  • Context/Purpose: The content’s specific purpose within the course.
  • Issue Description: A detailed description of the issue and obstacles to remediation.
  • Instructional Necessity: Whether content is required or is not instructionally necessary.
  • Fix suggestion: A concrete and actionable explanation of how the issue can be remediated.
  • Trivial fix?: How simple and straightforward the fix is. (yes/no)

Example Usage

Platform Course Element Format Reference Context/Purpose Issue Description Instructional Necessity Fix suggestion Trivial fix?
Ed Pre-Class Work Link Pre-Class Work 1, Background: Importance of Testing Link “Source” - nondescriptive link label Not required Update link label to be specific ✅ Yes
Powerpoint Lecture Image Lesson 10, Slide 4 Diagram Binary tree image lacks meaningful alt text Required Add alt text or utilize another representation (list, table, etc.) ❌ No

Markdown Template

| Platform | Course Element | Format | Reference | Context/Purpose | Issue Description | Instructional Necessity | Fix suggestion | Trivial fix? |
| -------- | -------------- | ------ | --------- | --------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------- | -------------- | ------------ |