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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
EDAC D020.
Course Title (CB02)
Universal Design and Accessibility
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Introduction to Universal Design concept and media accessibility principles applicable across multidisciplinary areas such as instructional design, information architecture, engineering and technology, media communications, urban design, and transit systems. Benefits of inclusive design by considering the full range of human diversity: physical, cognitive, sensory, cultural and social, and the advantages of incorporating accessibility into the planning and design phase of products, services, and consumer experiences will be examined. Students will examine legal guidelines and accessible media content design strategies for various media (digital documents, videos, audio, websites), and will identify tools and techniques to extend usability for all users.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is transferable to CSU. This stand-alone course introduces students to the fundamentals of Universal Design principles and media accessibility guidelines. The course examines inclusive user-centered design strategies applicable across multidisciplinary areas such as instructional design, information architecture, design engineering and technology, media communication, urban design, and transit systems.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly EDAC D054.)

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
99

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

EDAC D245.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments from texts and online resources
  2. Group discussions on critiquing website design for usability and accessibility
  3. Research presentations and projects examining issues surrounding physical, cognitive, sensory, cultural and social diversity.
  4. Written analyses and distinctions between allied concepts and terminology: Accessibility, Usability, and Inclusive Design.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Written research reports that evaluate student’s ability to synthesize, organize, and present information clearly
  2. Weekly quizzes that include multiple choice, short answers
  3. Weekly reflection posts on topics that encourage analysis and problem-solving, in diverse areas: architecture, education, engineering, multimedia, technology, and transportation.
  4. Group accessibility-related projects that require students to collaboratively assess, test, design, and apply WCAG 2.0 guidelines to improve accessibility
  5. Final exam that includes multiple-choice and media components that require students to evaluate content for accessibility barriers

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Horton, Sarah, and Whitney Quesenbery. A Web for Everyone: Designing Accessible User Experiences. Brooklyn, NY: Rosenfeld Media, 2013. Print.
Norman, Don. The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition Paperback. Philadelphia: Perseus, 2013. Print.
Steinfeld, Edward, and Jordana Maisel. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. Hoboken: Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. "The Danger of a Single Story." Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story | TED Talk | TED.com.
Bigelow, Kimberly Edginton. "Designing for success: Developing engineers who consider universal design principles." Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability 25.3 (2012).
Designing for Inclusion, https://www.w3.org/WAI/users
Six, Janet M. "Developing Empathy | Designing for Foreign Cultures." UXmatters. 17 Sept. 2012. Web.
Knox, Nikki. "How to Use Persona Empathy Mapping." UXmag.com. UX Magazine, 27 June 2014. Web.
Krug, Steve. Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability ISBN-13: 9780321965516. 3rd ed.: Pearson, 2014.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine relevance of the principles and broader goals of the UD Movement
  • Examine common barriers to community participation experienced by persons with disabilities
  • Examine benefits of cultivating a Universal Design mindset and how it encompasses Usability, Accessibility, and Inclusive Design
  • Identify media accessibility barriers experienced by users who are blind and visually-impaired
  • Describe simple content design approaches that promote accessibility
  • Summarize best practices for enabling accessibility for various media

CSLOs

  • Examine inclusive principles of Universal Design (UD), and applications across varied disciplines such as architecture and urban design, education, engineering, multimedia, technology, and transportation.

  • Identify common media accessibility barriers experienced by users with sensory impairments.

  • Analyze and restructure digital documents to improve accessibility.

Outline

  1. Examine relevance of the principles and broader goals of the UD Movement
    1. Examine evolution and history of UD Movement and its ties to the Disability Rights Movement
    2. Explore myths and misconceptions of UD application
    3. Examine how universal design differs from accessible design.
  2. Examine common barriers to community participation experienced by persons with disabilities
    1. List major disability groups
    2. Examine dimensions of Disability as defined by the World Health Organization
    3. Examine types of barriers that persons with disabilities may experience during their common daily activities
    4. Compile at least five disability-related resources available in your local community
  3. Examine benefits of cultivating a Universal Design mindset and how it encompasses Usability, Accessibility, and Inclusive Design
  4. Describe the components of Usability. Examine distinctions and overlaps between accessibility, usability, and inclusive design.
    1. Discuss the value of Empathic Design, and its role in User-Centered Design methodologies
    2. Examine the value of persona analysis in User Experience (UX). Describe best practices for developing effective UX personas.
  5. Identify media accessibility barriers experienced by users who are blind and visually-impaired
    1. Examine the WCAG 2.0 foundational guidelines organized around the Four Principles of Accessibility
    2. Examine UX guidelines and explore how it maps to WCAG 2.0 Principles.
    3. Evaluate common media accessibility barriers experienced by users who are Blind/Visually-impaired
  6. Describe simple content design approaches that promote accessibility
    1. Examine the role of color and contrast ratios in enabling accessibility
    2. Describe strategies for enabling document accessibility
    3. Analyze and restructure digital documents to improve accessibility
  7. Summarize best practices for enabling accessibility for various media
    1. Explore accessibility strategies for videos
    2. Distinguish between Captions and Sub-Titles
    3. Examine web accessibility testing tools
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