WAI Curricula/complete draft for units 1 and 2

Introduction

This page serves as a starting point for discussion on WAI Curricula, units 1, What is Web Accessibility, and 2, People and Digital Technology. For contextual information you might want to have a look at the Survey Results.

Learning Outcomes

Comments have been received that learning outcomes need to be adapted so that they are more aligned with HE (Higher Education) standards and Guidelines. An example of what is expected from Learning Outcomes can be found at https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications/4156. A Complete diff for the new pull request can be found here for context.

Teaching Ideas and Homework

There has been several proposals for new teaching ideas and homework, which I really appreciate and welcome. How much level of detail does the group think we need to provide so that we can avoid problems such as those raised in the WAI-Engage Wiki?

<ref>Like disability simulations in training exercises that are not properly framed, sometimes, these experiences can result in people concluding that "accessibility is too hard," since they don't have appropriate coping mechanisms. Specifically, I'm referring to disability simulations where sighted people put on blindfolds, use wheelchairs, put in ear-plugs, etc., and then perform a life-activity, such as getting lunch at a mall in a food court. Such exercises can be helpful, but they can generate unnecessary fear. {- Jennifer Sutton}</ref>

Addressing terminology

Comments have been received that terminology should be addressed up front, that is, the Curricula should start with a topic / introductory piece in which we explain some concepts such as assistive tools, adaptive strategies, inclusive design, and perhaps some others. Discussion is open to see how much of it belongs to a topic itself, how much of it can be covered in the current introduction page for this module and which specific terms we should take into account.

How do we portray people with disabilities

Several comments have been made regarding specifics about people with disabilities. How we portray them is essential. Below are some of the comments that people have made, and some discussion around them might be welcomed to polish this aspect for the whole resource.

• Clichés and myths -- Comments have been received that we should include some examples or pointers to specifics. How much level of detail we need to provide?
• Naming specific people with disabilities -- In Topic: Stories of people with disabilities we name specific persons with disabilities such as Frida Kahlo, Stephen Hawking, or Stevie Wonder. Do you think it is appropriate to name specific people or just to encourage instructors to reference such specifics but with no real names on the curricula?
• Inspiration and empathy -- these two words together might misslead instructors / students to think about people with disabilities as exceptional. Should we remove these words? Should we explain them in a different way?