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Artificial Intelligence and Inclusion: Striking the Right Balance
I recently had an opportunity to share some of my thinking on the use of…
Reach
Every Learner
Inclusive learning experiences that meet every learner’s needs.
Accessibility can’t just be an afterthought—you need to build the system to be accessible from the ground up. That’s exactly what D2L has done, and that’s why Brightspace won hands down when it came to accessibility.Laura HendreyLearning and Development CoordinatorVision Australia
Addressing Accessibility Challenges
Technology should not limit learning opportunities. Our accessibility program is tightly integrated with our research and development lifecycle to ensure our products are standards-compliant and easy for people to navigate, understand and operate using the assistive technologies and devices that support their needs.
Barriers to Access
Visual, auditory, cognitive, and mobility challenges can isolate learners without proper support.
Diverse Learner Needs
Not every learner engages with content in the same way or has access to the same technology, leaving gaps in engagement and understanding.
Rising Expectations
Today’s educators and learners demand inclusive tools that go beyond the basics to create meaningful teaching and learning experiences.
Complex Regulations
Navigating varied and evolving compliance requirements and accessibility standards while delivering seamless learning adds another layer of difficulty.
Enabling Everyone
Brightspace enables learners and educators with disabilities to engage in inclusive education while helping leadership achieve their strategic goals.
Remove Barriers to
Learner Success
Brightspace works well with assistive technologies and offers features that support accommodations. Customers can create accessible content and foster inclusive learning experiences while engaging with a vibrant Brightspace Community.
Give Educators More Control
Brightspace provides innovative features like automated video captioning to create content that is born accessible, and support for Universal Design for Learning to facilitate inclusive learning delivery.
Support Leadership Goals and Objectives
- Accessibility Compliance: Native tools and partner solutions support regulatory compliance
- Scalable Solutions: Easily scale accessible and teaching and learning to meet learner needs and achieve equitable outcomes
- Training and Support: Dedicated resources and training on accessibility best practices to embed accessibility into organizational culture
Built with Accessibility, Backed By Standards
We ensure that D2L’s products integrate with assistive technologies. Providing a great experience for all who use the platform. By adhering to global accessibility standards, including WACG 2.2 Level AAA, EN301 549, and Section 508, we prioritize inclusivity in everything we do.
Collaborating With Community
We believe that creating accessible learning experiences is a team effort. That’s why we work closely with organizations, advisors and our users to continuously improve accessibility across Brightspace. The result? An inclusive platform driven by a united community working towards better learning for all learners
Customer Engagement
Our Accessibility Interest Group, active for over a decade, provides a monthly forum for our customers to discuss current accessibility topics, share best practices and provide us actionable feedback to refine our platform.
Industry Collaboration
D2L is an organizational member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). Twelve D2Lers are holding or working towards the following accessibility certifications: Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) and Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). D2L’s Global Accessibility Lead is the Vice Chair of IAAP’s Global Leadership Council, that provides governance for the association.
Influencing Global Policy
D2L contributes to provincial, federal and global accessibility and artificial intelligence standards and policies, through various leadership positions held by our in-house accessibility experts with the following national and international bodies:
- Standards Council of Canada’s Mirror Committee to ISO/IEC JTC1/SC 36 – Information Technology for Training, Education and Learning
- Accessibility Standards Canada’s Technical Committee on Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems
- Accessibility Standards Canada’s Technical Committees on Accessibility Requirements for ICT Products and Services
- International Association of Accessibility Professionals’ Global Leadership Council
- Ontario AODA Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee
- Canadian Accessibility Network
- 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Accessibility Rubric Task Force
- 1EdTech Accessibility Product Steering Committee
- 1EdTech AI Data Rubric Task Force
- 1EdTech AI Data Rubric Project Group
I’ve spent my career being an ally and an advocate for students with disabilities. And one of the things that I learned really quickly and pretty early on is that when you talk about accessibility, the way that you need to situate it is that it is a journey, it is not a destination. You’re never done.Kelly Herman VP, Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion, University of Phoenix
Accessibility is a huge part of Brightspace that has really enhanced my instruction.Morgan Thompson LMS Teacher Specialist, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Empower Learning for Everyone
See how D2L Brightspace can help your institution create an inclusive learning environment that supports all learners.