Blackboard and WebCT Announce Agreement to Merge

Blackboard, WebCT to Merge [Inside Higher Ed]

As a profession we should keep our eyes on this sort of thing. Though both claim accessibility, neither Bb or WebCT have a stellar track record when it comes to on-line accessibility. The gist of the matter [according to WebCT] is that pages can be designed in an accessible manner, but the general opinion of my peers is ‘yes...well...’ WebCT pages and functions can be made accessible, but it takes work on the part of the institution to make certain the pages are created as such in the first place. In other words - some assembly is required. Granted, WebCT is just one of the Learning Management Systems presently available - but for higher education it is one of the more popular. With respect to the accessibility of the platforms, here are a few of the areas where problems/challenges generally occur: [Courtesy of Sean Keegan at the HTCTU]

• Quizzes: Technically they may be accessible, but for a student using a screen-reader, it requires some real understanding on how to use their technology. A big issue here is also the ability to allow for qualified students to have extended time on their quizzes.
• Synchronous Chat: Most of the LMS vendors keep saying that they are working on this one. I am looking into this again and will send a message out when I get something back. Most synchronous chats tend to be java applets (and these just don't always work with assistive technologies). Workarounds that have been used in the past: use a third-party chat client like AIM, MSN Messenger, etc.
• Electronic Whiteboards: Basically a chalkboard on the computer. Make sure the instructor knows how to verbally describe what they are doing.
• For the most part, the "shells" of the LMS platforms have really been improved compared to initial versions. Beyond the challenges I have listed above inherent to the platforms, it becomes an issue of educating the content creators to design accessible/usable course content.

Other resources and examples on the Web:

• The HTCTU has published a White Paper [in .pdf] which pertains directly to the issue of creating accessible instructional material using instructional authoring tools such as WebCT.
• London Metropolitian University has a very good page dedicated to this subject - WebCT Accessibility - A Good Practice Guide.
• The SNOW Program [Special Needs Opportunity Program] at the University of Toronto has a FAQ page on WebCT Accessibility.
• Latrobe University in Wodonga-Victoria, Australia [can you say "field trip..."]
• Georgia State University Web Resources Manager Stephen Rehberg.