Accessibility in a digital society
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 15
- Teaching semesters Spring
- Course code
- DIKULT215
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian, English if needed.
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
This course examines the principles and practices of accessibility in digital technology, emphasizing the impact of a networked society on diverse populations. It explores accessibility through the lenses of multiple disciplines including architecture, philosophy, sociology, design, and digital culture, fostering a comprehensive understanding of how technology can either bridge or exacerbate social divides. The course serves both bachelor- and master programmes at Digital culture, but does not require technical skills or other prerequisites from the programmes. It can be taken as elective for other departments.
Since this course examines real life conditions for accessibility, students with disabilities are encouraged to enroll.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
- The candidate has gained a deep understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of accessibility, including key concepts in disability studies and universal design.
- The candidate is familiar with international web accessibility standards, including the WCAG, the legal implications of non-compliance, and the social responsibilities tied to creating accessible digital environments.
- The candidate understands the role of assistive technologies and how various innovations contribute to enhancing accessibility across different sectors such as education, employment, and public services.
Skills
- The candidate has developed critical analytical skills to evaluate the accessibility of digital products and services, identifying both strengths and weaknesses.
- The candidate is able to apply principles of inclusive design in real-world projects, creating prototypes or enhancements that promote accessibility.
- The candidate is able to produce an Accessibility Statement (tilgjengelighetserklæring).
- The candidate has enhanced their communication skills through group work, presentations, and engaging with community stakeholders, effectively advocating for accessibility improvements.
- The candidate is able to assume a consulting and collaborative function on the topic in the public or commercial sector.
General Competence
- The candidate demonstrates the ability to contribute thoughtfully to discussions on the social implications of technology and the importance of inclusivity in (a networked) society.
- The candidate has cultivated a commitment to ethical responsibility in their future careers, understanding how their work can impact marginalized communities.
- The candidate is equipped to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, appreciating diverse perspectives on accessibility challenges and solutions.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
There are twenty weeks in a semester, where twelve weeks usually have classes. A week with classes usually contains a lecture, a seminar or a workshop of 2-3 hours in plenary or smaller groups. Some activities are student-led seminars and group work without a teacher present. The class schedule will be available by the beginning of the semester.
It is important that the students attend the orientation session early in the semester before the teaching begins.
Lectures are based on a student-active learning model and will usually involve a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. Some homework assignments will be given in addition to the readings and obligatory assignments, such as contributions to online discussions and smaller reflexion pieces. Students are expected to work 20 hours per week on the course from the beginning until the end of the teaching period, including weeks when there is no teaching. It is expected that the time during teaching-free weeks is used for reading course-related materials, completing assignments, and preparing for the exam.
If fewer than five students are registered to a course, the department might reduce the teaching, please see the department's guidelines regarding this on Mitt UiB. Regarding a course where this is a possibility the students get information about this at the beginning of the semester, and before the deadline regarding semester registration 1.September.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for everything the course covers. Course participation is approved by the course responsible. If the absence exceeds 25%, the student cannot take the exam. During the semester, the student must submit the four assignments that form the final portfolio. These may include a usability documentation of an artifact of social/societal interest, an accessibility analysis of a website, a comparison of assistive tools, an academic accessibility diary. Receiving and giving feedback on these is mandatory.
The mandatory assignments are either approved or not approved. They are only valid in the teaching semester.
Forms of Assessment
The course is concluded with a portfolio containing four pieces produced during the semester.Only one grade is given for the exam.
Students can submit the portfolio in Norwegian or English.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Reading List
All required course material is usually in English. Students can use and refer to sources in other languages in assignments and exams.
The list of compulsory and recommended reading, as far as this is known in advance, will be available on Mitt UiB before the start of the semester and is updated if needed. The books will be available at Akademika before the start of the semester, or downloadable as e-books.It is also expected that the students familiarize themselves with further relevant academic material through the library, online academic sources, and searching for their own inspiration on the topic.