“We can’t address every single need when we’re designing courses, so the fact that students are able to address their own needs allows them to be more successful.”
Dr. Stephanie Markowitz, Ed.D. Instructional Technology Specialist
Case study
How Pellissippi State Enhances Digital Accessibility with YuJa Panorama LMS Accessibility Platform
Introduction
Seeking a More Comprehensive Accessibility Solution
In early 2022, Pellissippi State Community College leaders began looking for an alternative accessibility solution. The institution, which has four campuses and serves more than 10,000 students, was using another platform, but wanted an all-in-one suite with more robust features, greater innovation, and better customer service. “The Department of Justice has said that by 2026, everything needs to be accessible,” said Dr. Stephanie Markowitz, Ed.D, Instructional Technology Specialist at Pellissippi State. “That put a little fire in us.”
The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has a master service agreement to offer the YuJa Panorama LMS Accessibility Platform and other YuJa platforms to member institutions using a simplified procurement process. As one of its institutions, Pellissippi State took advantage of the agreement. “We looked at what sister institutions were using and a couple in our network were already using YuJa Panorama,” Dr. Markowitz explained. “The TBR already had an agreement in place, which made it easy to get started.”
1974
Founded
4
Campuses
50+
Programs
~10,000
Enrollment
About the Client
About Pellissippi State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College is a two-year community college dedicated to fostering academic, social, economic, and cultural enrichment. With four campuses serving approximately 10,000 students and more than 600 faculty, the institution is committed to student success in workforce training and certificate and degree programs. The institution is one of 37 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents, the largest system of higher education in the state.
“We looked at what sister institutions were using and a couple in our network were already using YuJa Panorama.”
Seamless LMS Integration
Improving the Learning Experience
Universal Design for Learning
Expanding Accessibility Tools
Continuous Innovation and Support
Seamless LMS Integration
YuJa Panorama is ‘Truly Integrated’ Within D2L Brightspace
YuJa Panorama’s auto-integration with the institution’s D2L Brightspace learning management system (LMS) has driven the use of the Platform by students and instructors, Dr. Markowwitz shared. “No one has to download anything. It’s just there. It’s truly integrated within Brightspace” she said.
Students intuitively click the icon to see accessibility features, such as alternative formats and accessibility profiles, and instructors are looking at high-level accessibility reports, remediation features, and using profiles and overlays.
Improving the Learning Experience
Students Can Personalize Their Learning Experience
YuJa Panorama’s accessibility features have helped drive student success. Students can use alternative formats, pre-set or customized accessibility profiles, and more to remove barriers to learning.
“We can’t address every single need when we’re designing courses, so the fact that students are able to address their own needs allows them to be more successful,” Dr. Markowitz noted, adding that instructors and faculty also use the accessibility features to mask certain areas of a webpage, make text larger, adjust contrast or other settings that help them meet individual needs.
Universal Design for Learning
Supporting Universal Design for Learning Standards
YuJa Panorama also has helped instructors create more accessible courses based on universal design principles. The Platform’s remediation tools, accessibility reports, and alternative format options have become essential features as the Pellissippi State works toward meeting the DOJ accessibility requirements.
“By making courses accessible, faculty are providing courses built more on universal design,” Dr. Markowitz noted. “They are designed in a way that’s going to allow students to be able to access the content. They don’t have to ask for any accommodations or requests with disability services — it’s already built within the course.”
Expanding Accessibility Tools
Looking Ahead: Adding PDF Remediation to Ed-Tech Tools
As instructors and students continue to discover and use YuJa Panorama, Pellissippi State will continue expanding its accessibility initiatives, Dr. Markowitz said, adding that there are plans to implement YuJa’s PDF Remediation tool, PDF Remediation Max Platform. This addition will help address one of the most common accessibility challenges faced by faculty.
“Our faculty love using PDFs because they don’t want their documents to be altered in any way. They can also be easier to open and a little cleaner, but they are probably the most inaccessible files out there,” notes Dr. Markowitz. “When we heard that YuJa has a solution, we felt it made more sense to work with a company that we already have a good relationship with.”
Continuous Innovation and Support
YuJa’s Innovation and Support Are Second to None
Dr. Markowitz said that one often undervalued aspect of Pellissippi State’s experience with YuJa is the company’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsive support. “In the monthly release notes, there’s always something new, cool, and exciting,” she said. “I also think it’s really neat that YuJa creates a positive atmosphere with Panorama.”
For example, when you reach 100 percent accessibility, confetti pops up. “I love that there’s a celebration when something goes right. I think that’s important. We should be celebrating more in life, and we don’t always do that,” she concluded. “And customer service is incredible. YuJa listens to us when there’s a need. I think it says a lot about a company when they want to continue to improve products and listen to customers.”
“They are designed in a way that’s going to allow students to be able to access the content. They don’t have to ask for any accommodations or requests with disability services — it’s already built within the course.”
Highlights
01.
Pellissippi State was seeking to replace its former accessibility platform with an innovative, all-in-one solution.
02.
Outstanding customer service and rapid response to feedback have been critical to the institution’s success.
03.
The institution uses YuJa Panorama and will soon add PDF remediation to its ed-tech stack.
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