1. Creating Accessible Digital Textbooks Based on Universal Design for Learning Principles

Introduction

This Toolkit describes the key Universal Design for Learning (UDL) features and adaptations included in the UNICEF Accessible Digital Textbook prototype for Rwanda, including examples and links to technical documentation. Read more on the background of the UNICEF Accessible Digital Textbook, including guidelines and standards.  

UDL frames the specific learning needs of individual learners in terms of three different networks of our learning brains: Recognition, Strategic, and Affective. The UDL principle: provide multiple means of representation corresponds to the Recognition wiring of our brains. The principle: provide multiple means of action and expression corresponds to the Strategic. And the principle: provide multiple means of engagement corresponds to the Affective. 

The adaptations in the ADT proceed first from the representation principle by adapting elements of printed textbooks for the specific accessibility needs of children with intellectual disabilities, children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and children who are blind or have low vision. Learners with these disabilities have specific adaptation needs that must be met in order for them to access learning and knowledge represented in the materials as described in the table below. The UDL features specific accessibility needs of children with intellectual disabilities, children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and children who are blind or have low vision. Learners with these disabilities have specific adaptation needs that must be met in order for them to access learning and knowledge represented in the materials as described in the table below.

All these elements we have designed with users, developed, and iterated extensively for impact, sustainability, and scale.  

eKitabu user-centered design with learners with disabilities, teachers, and caregivers and UNICEF Rwanda during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic

UDL Adaptations in the ADT prototype for Rwanda

1.1 Page Layout

Adaptation: Revise layout of the print book to incorporate accessibility features within the EPUB, achieves understanding and ease of usage. A key element to be factored in is the sign video within the page. Maintain a consisten layout on every page.

Example: Here is an example from page 1 of the Rwanda ADT, first in the original print, then in EPUB after adaptation:

1.2 Image Descriptions

Adaptation: Write image descriptions to support human narrated audio and automated text to speech

Example: The table, below, shows the original printed text instructions and original print images along with the image descriptions and revised image captions created by the ADT Rwanda team:

Page	Original Printed Text instruction	Original Image	Image description	Image Captions
15	Unit 3 People at home and school My family		There is a family of five people, a father, a mother and three children. There are two boys and one girl. One boy tells the names of his parents, brother and sister.
16	How old are you?		There are two people, a woman and a girl. The girl is six years old.	Woman : How old are you? Girl : I am six years old.
16			There are two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is talking to the girl.	Boy: how old is your brother ? Girl: He is nine years old.
16			There are two children, a boy and a girl. The girl is talking to the boy.	Girl : how old is your sister? Boy: she is three years old.
17	My school This is my school.		There is a school. The school has a football playground, a national flag and three school buildings. There are toilets behind the school buildings. There is a flag between the school buildings. There are two trees, one is big and another is small. There are three pupils walking in the school compound. There are flowers around the school.
18	Who is this?		There is a man. He is a Headteacher. He is sitting in his office.
18			There is a Teacher. The Teacher is a woman. She is standing near the blackboard .
18			There are two boys. They are going to class. They have school bags.
19	How old are you?		There is a boy. He is pointing at his chest.
19			There is a girl. She is pointing at her chest.

This example page shows the result with an image, and the image description text:

Technical Resource: For detailed tools to add image descriptions to EPUB and guidelines on how to write image descriptions.

1.3 Adapt texts for all learners

Adaptation: Review and rewrite text that relies sole on one mode of perception or sensory ability. 

Example: 

1.4 Provide a Glossary

Adaptation: Provide clickable links to key vocabulary words in the local sign language, and with read aloud, and supporting images to support understanding.

Example: Review the book's text and identify key vocabulary words on each page. Film a local Sign Language video for each word, with character by character spelling in the captions, along with human audio narration.

Here is an example of "Good afternoon" glossary word implementation in the Rwanda ADT:

1.5 Sign Language Video

Adaptation: Record sign language videos using the recommended guidelines and embed the videos at the bottom of the page as indicated below.

Example: Here is an example of the Rwanda ADT with the sign video embedded in the EPUB:

Technical Resource: 

• How to create a sign language video.
• How to embed a sign language video in EPUB.

1.6 Audio Narration

Adaptation: Record the audio of the book to implement audio synchronisation with text through highlighting per word. Accessible reading systems avail playback controls to listen to the audio as the highlighting is executed per word. The playback controls provide options to play/pause the audio narration, skip through audio narration and configure the playback rate of the audio narration. 

Example: Here is an example of the Rwanda ADT with an implementation of the audio synchronisation with text: 

good_afternoon.mp4

Technical Resource: How to implement audio synchronisation with text.

1.7 Interactive Exercises

Adaptation: Develop accessible interactive questions to engage learners

Example: Here is an interactive drag and drop before attempt:

Here is an interactive drag and drop after attempt with feedback:

Here is an interactive drag and drop after successful attempt: