I would like to raise a concern regarding the accessibility of the learning materials used in TM359, specifically the Certified Ethical Hacker content delivered through the VitalSource platform.
As a student who relies on text-to-speech software due to dyslexia, I have found the accessibility features within VitalSource to be very limited and difficult to use. The built-in text-to-speech reader is significantly below the standard of modern assistive technologies. The available voices are poor quality, the reader frequently freezes, and when navigating between pages the selected voice often resets, requiring it to be manually reconfigured. These issues make it difficult to study efficiently or retain information.
In addition, the platform appears to restrict the use of external assistive technologies. This prevents students from using higher-quality tools such as those provided through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), including software that many students rely on to access academic material effectively.
Given the volume and complexity of the material in this module, the current format creates a significant barrier for students who depend on accessible learning technologies. In its current form, the resource does not appear to provide equivalent access for students with disabilities.
I would like to ask whether this issue has previously been raised with the module team.
Improving accessibility in externally provided learning platforms is important to ensure that all students can engage with module materials on an equal basis.