Digital Accessibility Guide for Instructors

Original Course Materials (New or Reused)

Identify the original course materials you plan put in Brightspace, including:

• PowerPoint files and other slide decks
• Recorded lectures
• Uploaded files, such as Word documents, PDFs and PowerPoints
• Materials created directly in Brightspace, such as files, announcements, assignments, discussions and quizzes
• Other original course materials you plan to either create new or reuse from previous course offerings
   

Course Materials Created by Others

Identify the course materials created by others that you plan to put in Brightspace, including:

• Course readings
• Video content, such as TED talks, YouTube videos, documentaries or films, etc.
• Audio content, such as podcasts
• Other course materials created by others

Once you know the kinds of materials you will be adding to your course, learn about the accessibility requirements and guidelines for each content type.  

Use these resources to get started:

• UAlbany’s Digital Accessibility Quick Guide
• CATLOE’s resources, including:
  • Recorded webinars and how-to guides for creating accessible course materials
  • Accessible syllabus guide and template
• Beginner courses from Deque University, such as:  
  • Fast Track to Accessibility for Any Role: This course can be completed in about 60 to 75 minutes and provides a high-level overview of accessibility principles and practices.  
  • Accessibility Fundamentals – Disabilities, Guidelines, and Laws: This course can be completed in about 90 minutes and helps participants understand different types of disabilities as well as the guidelines and laws that guide accessibility practices.
  • Fast Track to Accessibility for Microsoft Office: This course can be completed in about 75 minutes and provides specific guidance for creating accessible materials in Microsoft applications, such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Fast Track to Accessibility for PDF Creators 2.0: This course can be completed in about two hours and provides specific guidance for creating accessible PDF documents.
  • Note: You’ll need to request a Deque University account before you’re able to access the courses.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the general principles of digital accessibility, you can:

• Create new course materials that are accessible
• Assess the accessibility of existing course materials and remediate any issues

If you created the course materials and still have access to the source files, it’s likely you can remediate any accessibility issues using the training and resources available to you.

When you are using materials created by others, you are responsible for determining whether they meet accessibility requirements. In some cases, materials that were created by others cannot be made accessible, which means they should not be used in your courses.
 

Using Accessibility Checkers

Microsoft products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), Brightspace and Adobe Acrobat Pro all have built-in accessibility checkers that will help you identify and fix accessibility issues.

Learn more about:

• Microsoft Accessibility Checkers
• Brightspace Accessibility Checker
• Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker
  • Request an Adobe Acrobat Pro account from ITS. The license is free for faculty and staff.

Follow the guidance these tools provide and make suggested edits.  

Note: Accessibility checkers only catch about 30 to 40% of issues. We recommend completing accessibility training to help you catch the remainder.
 

Remediating course materials versus finding alternative content

Use these questions to help determine whether materials can be remediated:

1. Do the materials already meet accessibility requirements? Note: Using built-in accessibility checkers can help you make this determination.
   • Yes: You can use the materials in your course.
   • No: Go to the next question.
2. Can you remediate the materials to make them accessible? Note: Scanned PDFs typically cannot be made fully accessible.
   • Yes: You can use the materials in your course after remediation.
   • No: Go to the next question.
3. Can you locate an accessible version of the materials? Work with your subject librarian to see if they can help you locate a version that meets accessibility requirements. (For example, it may be possible to acquire an accessible electronic version of a book chapter instead of a scanned PDF. Learn how to use library links for access.)
   • Yes: You can use the new materials in your course.
   • No: Locate alternative content with the support of your subject librarian.