Training
Published on: October 20, 2024
The MRCT Center has developed six modules in the Accessibility 101 Training series to complement the Accessibility by Design (AbD) in Clinical Research Toolkit.
These training modules are in PowerPoint format. They can be taken on-demand by individuals or utilized by organizations (with permission from and credit to the MRCT Center) to conduct group training sessions on Accessibility 101 topics.
The full Accessibility 101 series comprises:
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 1: Learning About Disability Inclusion
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 2: Mapping the Participant Journey
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 3: Creating Alt Text
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 4: Assessing Color Contrast
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 5: Using Plain Language
- Accessibility 101 Training Module 6: Developing Accessible PowerPoints
Module 1: Learning about Disability Inclusion
Module 1 provides introductory information about disability data, ableism (and non-discrimination), disability rights, the AbD Toolkit, emerging topics in accessibility in clinical trials, and a scientific and business case for collaborating with people with disabilities on universal design.
Related Resources
Module 2: Mapping the Participant Journey
Module 2 provides a brief background on the participant journey, from accessing transportation to a site to getting into a site to navigating medical offices and equipment within the site. The module then brings users through an exercise where they are asked to see a series of pictures that illustrate different parts of the participant journey in different settings (e.g., fixed sites, mobile sites, virtual apps). For each picture, the module user must consider the challenges for that scenario from the perspective of people with hearing, visual, mobility, cognitive and intellectual, or other disabilities.
Related Resources
Module 3: Creating Alt-Text
“Creating Alt Text” is the third module in the Accessibility 101 Training series that the MRCT Center has developed to complement the Accessibility by Design (AbD) in Clinical Research Toolkit. In this ever-virtual world, we all create materials like PowerPoints and social media posts that include images, and therefore need to know how make those images more accessible for people with low vision or blindness. Module 3 provides a background on Alt Text, instructions on how to create Alt Text so that images can be “read” by screen readers, and an exercise to test the user’s facility with Alt Text.
Related Resources
Module 4: Assessing color contrast
“Assessing Color Contrast” is the fourth module in the Accessibility 101 Training series that the MRCT Center has developed to complement the Accessibility by Design (AbD) in Clinical Research Toolkit. We all need to know how to make images more accessible for people with visual disabilities. One part of that universal design is using Alt Text, described in Module 3. Another is making sure that images and text boxes have sufficient color contrast between the text color and the fill (or background) color. Module 4 provides a background on color contrast, instructions on how to assess color contrast, and an exercise to test the user’s facility with assessing color contrast and adjusting colors.
Module 5: Using Plain Language
“Using Plain Language” is the fifth module in the Accessibility 101 Training series that the MRCT Center has developed to complement the Accessibility by Design (AbD) in Clinical Research Toolkit. Module 5 provides a background on plain language, instructions on how to adapt complex language into plain language (including how to test the grade level for the language), and an exercise to test the user’s skills with plain language.
Related Resources
Module 6: Developing Accessible PowerPoints
“Developing Accessible PowerPoints” is the sixth module in the Accessibility 101 Training series that the MRCT Center has developed to complement the Accessibility by Design (AbD) in Clinical Research Toolkit. Module 6 provides a background on PowerPoints and usage in the expanding world of webinars, instructions on how to develop accessible PowerPoints and an exercise to test the user’s skills with plain language. The “how-to” section of the training starts with defining the intended purpose and audience for the PowerPoint; describes design for mental processing, readability, and sensory processing; reviews elements described in other modules (e.g., Alt Text, color contrast, plain language/inclusive language); and concludes by highlighting considerations to support accessibility while the PowerPoint is presented (e.g., closed captioning).
