Click on topic (4 topics) to move to section:
Introduction
Standards and Specifications
Activities
Membership

Introduction

The CETIS-TechDis Accessibility SIG (Special Interest Group) is one of a number of groups established by CETIS (Centre for Educational Technology Interoperability Standards). It focuses on the use of standards and specifications in e-learning, which support a learner's individual needs and preferences. The Accessibility SIG is jointly badged with TechDis, which supports UK (United Kingdom) FE (Further Education) and HE (Higher Education) communities in all aspects of technology and disabilities, including assistive technology. It aims to:

• Make implementers of content and systems for learning technology in the FE and HE sectors aware of accessibility guidelines and specifications for e-learning;
   
• Give guidance on using these accessibility guidelines and specifications to learning technology developers and implementers, and to e-learning content authors;
   
• Promote the communication flow between the FE and HE community and the specification producers;
   
• Track issues of accessibility across the relevant IMS specifications and other standards bodies as appropriate;
   
• Act as a discussion and dissemination forum, focusing on good practice in making learning technology accessible to all.

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Standards and Specifications

Accessibility issues cut across many of the IMS specifications, including the LIP (Learner Information Package), Learning Design, Metadata, and QTI (Question and Test Interoperability) Specifications. The Accessibility SIG focuses on various e-learning and web-based content specifications, including the IMS AccessForAll Specifications, the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) Guidelines, and work being done by DCMI (Dublin Core Metadata Initiative), CEN/ISSS, BSI and other standards bodies.

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Activities

The Accessibility SIG meets quarterly in various locations throughout the UK. Meetings are advertised on the CETIS Accessibility JISCMail List. Information from previous meetings is available from the SIG Meetings Section of this website. SIG meetings are held with the support of TechDis, which has a standing session at each of the meetings.

The website itself acts as a central resource for information, articles and links relating to accessibility and learning technology. The Links Section has various resources on a number of topics including Case Studies, Design, E-Learning, Legislation, Research and Technology.

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Membership

Accessibility issues are of importance to anyone involved in developing learning technology or creating content for it. Membership of the SIG is free and is open to anyone who is interested in the accessibility issues facing learning technology developers, implementers and content authors from all UK FE and HE institutions. Further information on joining the group is available from the Membership Section.