Welcome to the Kansas Accessibility Resources Network (KSARN). Our intention is to make this the destination for all things accessibility in the Midwest and beyond. Take a moment to look around and make yourself comfortable. All blog content on this site is open to everyone, and KSARN resources are free, and all we ask is that you sign up for a partnership account. Paid partnerships are also available to corporate partners who would like to join.
AI and Accessibility
In the past few years, and more so, the last few months, AI has matured into a vital tool and critical role in our lives, affecting the way we learn, work, interact with each other, and even relax. It is powerful and yet still in its infancy. The possibilities of how AI can assist and … Read more
Is this “Accessibility” or “Accommodation”?
Accessibility is THE hot topic in higher education. And what is the one question all accessibility trainers must be prepared to answer? “Why do I have to do this if I don’t have a disabled person in my classroom?”
Do Students Need Accessibility Training?
Recent university agreements and Office for Civil Rights consent decrees dealing with accessibility have defined instructors as “all individuals who provide course-related instruction to … students….” This means students in many classes may need to be creating certain assignments in accessible ways. For example student speeches and presentations given to the class, online videos, and … Read more
How do I Determine if a Resource is Accessible?
As instructional staff, when we choose resources for our classes, we need to be able to make a judgement about the relative accessibility of a resource. This guide is intended to provide a place to start thinking about these issues. The basic questions we need to ask ourselves about any of our resources are based … Read more
Harvard has a Web Accessibility Policy
An article in the Crimson (Harvard’s student newspaper) reports that the university implemented a Digital Accessibility Policy that went into effect December 1, 2019. The policy requires that all web pages that are created or updated substantially after Dec 1, 2019 be compliant with the WCAG 2.1 AA standards — the most up-to-date version of … Read more
When is it best to leave your toys at home?
It will surprise no one that I’m a massive gadget nerd. It’s a rare occasion when I can resist the desire to get my hands on a new tool and need to be able to play with it. It’s a need. An itch. Craving. And I’m sure that in a field full of people who … Read more
What is KSARN?
The Kansas Accessibility Resources Network (KSARN) is a destination for training, discussion, and free resources for anyone interested in accessibility in higher education. KSARN began out of a desire to ensure public resources stretch as far as they can and no Kansas institution has to go without accessibility training, and today it offers all resources without charge to anyone interested in accessibility anywhere in the world.
