Page 300 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

powerful, dynamic, and inclusive platform. As educational landscapes evolve,

the findings accentuate the imperative of design rooted in empathy, foresight,
and inclusivity, ensuring the digital educational realm remains accessible and

fulfilling for all.

One of the prominent challenges in the Sri Lankan University system is

maintaining Quality Assurance (QA) for online teaching and learning for
disabled students. The staff was unanimous in emphasizing the paramount

importance of this, especially for the benefit of students with disabilities.
Ensuring that digital learning platforms and content align with international

standards is not just about delivering consistent educational experiences; it is

also about upholding the dignity and rights of differently-abled students. As
the education sector globally shifts towards virtual platforms, academic

institutions bear the responsibility for embedding these standards into their
pedagogical approaches. A revelation from the discussion was the imperative

need to guarantee content accessibility. International standards provide a

comprehensive framework ensuring that online content is perceivable,
operable, understandable, and robust for all users, especially those with

disabilities. It is incumbent upon staff members to acquaint themselves with
these guidelines and make certain that their digital courses meet these

standards. Compliance measures might include adding alternative text for

images, captions, and transcripts for audio-visual content, and ensuring
keyboard-friendly navigation for users who might find mouse usage

challenging.

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