Hearing and Vision Support

Some students may require different levels of sensory support for their hearing and vision, and some needs may not be immediately apparent. It is important not to make assumptions and remain respectful.

1. Barriers to Accessibility

Inaccessible Physical Environment

Environments with high background noise or poor acoustic design can interfere with hearing devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Ineffective seating arrangements in the classroom can hinder students from clearly seeing the speaker or interpreters.
Environments with low contrast (similar colours or shades) between different surfaces or elements can make it difficult for individuals to discern boundaries and environmental changes.
- For example, individuals with visual impairments will struggle to identify where one surface ends and another begins, making it challenging to navigate through a space.
Poor lighting makes it difficult for individuals with low vision to see and interpret visual information.
Obstructed pathways can become fall or collision risks for individuals with visual impairment.
A lack of tactile indicators may prevent individuals with visual impairments from having the necessary information to navigate effectively.

Do you know the two main types of tactile indicators?

Warning tactile indicators (with circles)
- Signal individuals with visual impairments to stop and evaluate their surroundings before proceeding
Directional tactile indicators (with lines)
- Provide directional orientation and support individuals with visual impairments in identifying and navigating their next most accessible path

Inaccessible Course Content

Content provided is not compatible with assistive technology

Structure of documents unclear (lacking headings or lists): becomes challenging for screen readers to navigate.
Use of images without alternative text: hinders access for screen-reader users. Without textual substitutes for non-text content, screen readers cannot interpret images, making essential information inaccessible.
Video without captions: Prevents deaf or hard-of-hearing students from accessing content. Screen readers will also not be able to integrate captioning systems to interpret video content.
Reliance on colours to categorise or segment content: Individuals with colour blindness may miss out on important concepts or information

Do you know how fast a screen reader reads?

450 words per minute. (Our typical read speed is 120 – 150 words per minute)

2. Inclusive Practices and Strategies

Validate and Respect

Ensuring a Barrier-Free Physical Environment

Create Space for Different Forms of Communication

Provide Flexibility in Learning

Flexible classroom arrangement

Use movable/adjustable furniture (e.g. tables and chairs) to create flexible classroom layouts to accommodate different needs

Flexible and compatible course content

Provide different presentations of content
- Provide course materials in multiple formats, such as digital text, audio, or large print, to accommodate different needs
- Provide recordings of lectures with captioning
- Link: How to Enable Automated Close Captioning
Compatibility of content with assistive devices
- Ensure content can be readable by assistive devices such as screen readers/AI software
- Content can be categorised and clearly defined to reduce confusion for students using screen readers or AI software.
- Items on PowerPoint slides should be added in sequential order for coherent interpretation by assistive devices.
Reduce reliance on colours for categorisation
Provide course content in advance

Flexible assessments

If possible, offer assignments in various formats, including oral presentations, digital submissions, and written reports, to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge in different ways.
Permit the use of assistive technologies, software, and interpreters during assessments.
- This includes tools like speech-to-text programs (e.g., Otter.ai), speech-to-text interpreters, sign language interpreters, and screen readers.
Encourage diverse presentation techniques during group oral presentations.

Click below to view the Student Accessibility Unit's Road to Accessibility Guidebook!

Road to Accessibility provides practical strategies to support diverse accessibility needs. It outlines common barriers students may face and offers inclusive practices to help create barrier-free and equitable learning environments.

Click Here