Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Student Ambassador for Digital Education Deo talks about his experience of accessible learning at the University of Leeds
The University of Leeds strives to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to learn by providing digital educational services that are more than just inclusive.
The third Thursday in May (18th May 2023) is celebrated as Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day where we are reminded of the importance of inclusivity. Inclusivity does not always address differences in physical condition but also includes differences in ethnicity, age, religion, and others. Integral to a multi-diverse campus, inclusivity allows us to appreciate differences and better understand people.
When I first arrived at the University of Leeds, the culture of inclusivity felt natural. I see students from all countries gather in one place and study together. My friends with disabilities also have a place at the University where they can study comfortably and not feel excluded. One thing that helps facilitate this is an education system that can support all study activities through every obstacle of difference.
Minerva, “the goddess of wisdom”, is the name given to the virtual learning environment at the University of Leeds. True to its name, Minerva is the place for all materials and information about university life. One of Minerva’s strengths is that it supports the value of inclusivity for all remarkably diverse students. Minerva strives to provide educational services needed by various students so that all have equal access to education.
One of the key features in Minerva is Ally, which is a feature that provides download access to lecture materials in a variety of formats such as HTML, eReader, Audio and Electronic Braille. These features play a vital role in supporting the learning of students who do not have useful vision to be able to view content from a screen, making lecture material more useful and practical. For me, having the option of audio makes my lecture material more accessible offline, where I can listen to it at any time.
As an online digital learning system, Minerva also provides helpful lecture recordings and as an international student, this feature allows me to review lecture material that is left behind in the class or when I cannot attend. Minerva’s presentation is user-friendly and easy to understand, which is essential considering the variety of age and technological ability of students at the University.
Although Minerva may not be the perfect digital learning system, it has helped embody the value of inclusivity in student life. It takes the perspective of each student and their diversity and tries to overcome every existing problem.
That is true inclusivity; it tries to understand and completes any deficiencies so that no one is left behind.
Visit Global Accessibility Awareness Day at Leeds to find out more about what the University of Leeds is doing to improve accessibility for everyone.
Written by Deo - Student Ambassador for Digital Education
