Quickstart Guide
Getting Started with SensusAccess
The document is a quickstart guide explaining how to access and use SensusAccess. SensusAccess is a platform that allows instructors to more efficiently create accessible materials. It highlights key features of SensusAccess, including document accessibility conversion, conversion to alternative formats, and language translation services. The guide also outlines Canvas integration steps and support resources, including tutorials and additional materials to help instructors get started.
Account Login
SensusAccess may be accessed through UVACanvas in the Course Navigation Menu
SensusAccess can also be accessed directly through their website
What is SensusAccess?
SensusAccess is a file conversion service that allows users to transform documents and other digital content into a variety of formats. It provides multiple options for converting materials to formats that can better support individual accessibility needs and learning preferences.
How can SensusAccess enhance teaching and learning?
SensusAccess can enhance teaching and learning by helping remove barriers to accessing course materials and providing students with greater flexibility in how they interact with content. Providing a variety of formats allows instructors to support more inclusive learning environments and help students access materials in ways that best work for them.
Engage
SensusAccess supports engagement by ensuring that all learners can equitably access course materials. Providing flexible options for accessing content can reduce barriers that often prevent students from fully participating in activities.
Enhance
SensusAccess enhances learning by converting content into alternative formats, allowing students to interact with course materials in a manner that best aligns with their individual needs and preferences.
Extend
SensusAccess extends access to learning materials beyond a single format, template, or delivery method. Students and instructors can both convert documents as needed, which allows them to utilize course content across a variety of devices and circumstances.
Key Features
Document Accessibility Conversion
SensusAccess can convert inaccessible or difficult-to-use documents into more accessible formats. It can process materials such as scanned PDFs, images of text, PowerPoint presentations, and other common document types and produce formats such as tagged PDFs, Word documents, HTML, and text files.
Why Use This?
Document accessibility conversion can help instructors address accessibility barriers in existing course materials without recreating those materials from scratch. It can be particularly useful for older documents, scanned readings, or other files that may not work well with assistive technologies. SensusAccess can therefore serve as one tool within a broader approach to creating accessible course content.
Alternative Formats
SensusAccess can convert instructional materials into alternative formats including MP3 audio, e-books, DAISY structured audio books, and digital Braille. These formats can be created from a range of source materials, including documents, PDFs, presentations, and images.
Why Use This?
Alternative formats give students additional ways to access and engage with course materials. Providing audio, e-book, or Braille versions can support students who use assistive technologies as well as students who benefit from accessing content in different formats. This can also give learners greater independence in determining how and when they interact with course materials.
Language Translation
SensusAccess includes a translation workflow that can convert instructional content from one language to another. The service supports a wide range of languages and can be used with many common document types.
Translation can help instructors make course materials more accessible to multilingual learners and students working with content in languages other than the original. It can also provide another way for students to engage with readings and instructional materials as they develop their understanding of course content. Translation can be particularly useful for supporting access to supplemental materials without requiring instructors to recreate those materials in another language.
