Commitment to Accessibility for AME Engage Online

AME Learning is committed to making its educational materials accessible to users of all abilities. Accessibility is not just a feature that is added to the product but a process by which the product is built.

We have invested, and continue to invest in internal accessibility expertise. We also work with accessibility consultants to perform accessibility audits, provide training to development staff, and obtain best-practices support throughout implementation. AME is improving accessibility with each software and resource releases.

Our online courses have three main components: Printed and Digital Textbooks, Media such as Video Tutorials and Animations, and the Learning Management System (LMS) platform (AME Engage). The last two are connected because media elements such as videos, animations, and interactive learning tools are embedded or delivered within the LMS platform. As of January 2019, AME Learning policies require all new online course development to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, as recommended by The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Following these guidelines, AME Learning content is accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including color blindness and low vision, hearing loss, learning disabilities, limited mobility, and many others. A brief description of our effort in each online course component is provided as shown below.

Printed and Digital Textbooks

AME Learning provides PDF or other Microsoft files on demand, at no charge, to DSS offices upon request for qualified students with disabilities.

The current digital text is accessible on all mobile platforms. There is a HTML version available and can be accessible with a screen reader.

Video Tutorials and Animations

For the majority of existing videos and animations, all key information is conveyed in both audio and visual formats.

As of January 2019, all videos are closed captioned. All new videos have enhanced keyboard controls and AME Learning is working to convert older legacy video assets in the new player.

Images and illustrations

Majority of the informative images and illustrations contain a text description. All new images in resources have alt tags added to them. Older resources are undergoing review; alt tags will be added to priority items.

The LMS Platform

AME Learning has been making ongoing improvements to help ensure students can sign in, navigate to assignments, open questions, and answer multiple-choice questions using a screen reader. Text, including site navigation and quizzes are screen reader accessible.

The website interface works with all common screen magnifiers and is contrast-optimized for vision-impaired access for most features.

For test bank questions and assignments, the information is screen reader accessible.

Users with mobility impairment may find it difficult to guide a mouse, and thus, may find it easier to use the keyboard. The Tab key may be used to visit all links, buttons, and other navigational elements. Forms can be filled out by using the Tab key to navigate fields, then other keys to enter the needed information. To escape the completed form, press Tab again.

The AME Engage user interface has recently been updated to provide information to users through the use of styles in addition to color coding.

Time-limited and Alternative Assignments

AME Engage provides flexibility for those students who receive additional time as an academic accommodation. Instructors can increase the time limit for assignments on an individual basis.

The AME Engage problems aren't time-based. In situations where the instructor does not impose a time limit, students who have limited motor control, as well as students whose learning disabilities result in a slower processing speed, are able to take the extra time they need.

Furthermore, in the event that the instructor or DSS office determines that a substitute assignment would be more appropriate, the AME Engage platform supports exempting students from assignments, and instructors can assign modified assignments only to specific students. 

Support

AME Learning instructional design support is knowledgeable about accessibility issues and is available to assist as well as recommend strategies and workarounds.

AME Learning support especially welcomes feedback from students with disabilities.