Installation of automatic doors
The Estates Office strives to build a barrier-free campus by upgrading the accessibility measures of the environment within the HKU campus. They installed automatic doors to enhance accessibility for users with minimal effort.
Automatic door to Lily Pond (Before and After)
The installation of automatic open doors in the Chi Wah Learning Commons has had a transformative impact on the university’s SEN services. These automatic open doors are designed to provide convenient and independent access for individuals with mobility challenges. The doors are equipped with sensors that detect approaching individuals and automatically open, omitting the need for manual door operation.
This change has proven to be an effective measure for enhancing accessibility for students with SEN within the Chi Wah Learning Commons. It has created a more inclusive and barrier-free space and ensures that all students can fully utilize the resources and services available. The initiative has positively contributed to the overall accessibility and inclusivity of the university’s learning environment for students with SEN, fostering a more equitable educational experience.
Provision of accessible readings
The University Libraries comply with Hong Kong’s Copyright Ordinance Cap. 528 for persons with a print disability to provide accessible reading materials for students with SEN. It offers services for converting materials into more accessible formats. Additionally, it also joined Bookshare in 2020 to provide alternative learning options to students with SEN. The platform Bookshare, run on the principle ‘Learn Without Limit’, provides a wide collection of books with an assisted reading option that supports audio books, large fonts, and braille.
Support services for converting materials into accessible formats. From June 2022 to March 2024, a total of 14,066 pages have been converted or scanned.
The University Libraries incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies into various training materials, including online courses and training slides, to accommodate learners across abilities or disabilities. By embracing UDL, the libraries have successfully provided students in need with equal opportunities to access and benefit from its resources and services, such as workshop materials, and closed captions for Zoom training.
Panopto (Lecture Capturing Service)
Learning platform Panopto allows captions to be enabled during lectures, which is helpful in providing well-rounded access to the content of the lecture for both first-time remote access and revision. There are user-friendly settings for the position, colours and sizes of the caption. The presentation slides of lecture videos ensure the learning content is as effective as a face-to-face lecture. With the ability to adjust the playing speed in addition to pausing and rewinding, students can pay more attention to keywords and important concepts.
Moodle (Learning Management System)
Moodle provides a comprehensive platform for students to view all their courses in one window. With its clear, consistent, and intuitive course pages, students can easily browse and access course materials on Moodle. The straightforward layout and icons allow students to navigate the courses easily. Moodle offers the flexibility to extend the time for submitting assignments and assessments, ensuring that students with SEN have the appropriate support to accommodate their needs.