Accessibility of UNI eLearning Suite Tools
Product VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates)
UNI Information Technology requires vendors for each of our products to provide a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template). A VPAT is a document that explains how information and communication technology products such as software, hardware, electronic content, and support documentation meet the Revised 508 Standards for IT accessibility. Learn more at the Section508.gov website.
Visit our Accessibility of UNI eLearning Suite Tools webpage for brief details on accessibility features for each product in our suite and links to their VPATs.
Blackboard Ally
UNI licenses Blackboard Ally, a tool that functions within Blackboard Learn, our Learning Management System, to:
- assist faculty with making their course materials more accessible
- assist students by automatically generating alternative formats for course materials
For more information about Blackboard Ally, please visit our Blackboard Ally Tools page. Contact the eLearning Suite support team with questions.
Accessible Electronic and Information Technology
At UNI, we are committed to providing equal and effective electronic and information technology access to all individuals. For more information, please visit our IT Accessibility site. The site includes details on closed captioning services; how to create accessible Word, PDF, and PowerPoint files; web accessibility; assistive technology support; and more.
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is defined as the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design (Center for Universal Design, 2011). UDL is the process of creating products that are accessible to people with a wide range of abilities, disabilities, and other characteristics. We encourage all faculty and staff at UNI to learn more about UDL and to follow best UDL practices. For more information, visit the following sites:
- Cast.org's UDL Guidelines
(Center for Applied Special Technology) - TEAL Center Fact Sheet No. 2: Universal Design for Learning
(Teaching Excellence in Adult Literacy - from American Institutes for Research) - Wikipedia page on Universal Design for Learning
Accessibility Services at UNI
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) provides that no qualified individual with a disability be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities at the University of Northern Iowa. This act applies to virtually all aspects of campus activities, including employment, student programming, and services provided to the community at large. As part of the University's campus-wide ADA compliance program, an accessibility webpage has been developed to link you with the many ADA and disability-related resources on campus.
Student Accessibility Services
UNI Student Accessibility Services works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an accessible educational environment for students. It is the policy of UNI for students with disabilities to register with Student Accessibility Services to access their rights and to determine eligibility for accommodations. The role of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to coordinate services and accommodations for students with disabilities. In doing so, they review disability documentation, meet with students to determine appropriate accommodations, and work with other areas on campus to implement the accommodations. UNI complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Fair Housing Act, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.
Learn more on the Student Accessibility Services website.
Recommended Syllabus Statement
To assist faculty, Student Accessibility Services provides a recommended syllabus statement.
Faculty and Staff Disability Services
UNI Faculty and Staff Disability Services is committed to insuring faculty, staff, prospective employees, and visitors with disabilities have the best possible experience while at the University of Northern Iowa. The University is committed to being in compliance with the spirit of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act of 2008.
To learn more about Faculty and Staff Workplace Accommodation Services, policy and additional related resources, please visit the My Benefits | Workplace Accommodation Services site.