UAlbany Faculty Accessibility Ambassadors
Background
In the past, instructors were required to make course materials accessible if a student with a documented disability was entitled to reasonable accommodation. That requirement changes in April 2026 when Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act comes into effect for institutions within the SUNY system. Title II requires all web content (including content housed in a campus Learning Management System) to be accessible according to specific industry standards.
The new federal regulations provide an important opportunity for us to make our courses more inclusive for all students, but they will also present challenges for faculty who need to make their digital course materials accessible.
Program Goals
The UAlbany Faculty Accessibility Ambassadors (FAA) is a faculty community focused on developing basic knowledge and skills in digital accessibility. Ambassadors will use what they learn to build faculty awareness of accessibility requirements and the resources available to help them. CATLOE staff will provide support to the ambassadors to ensure their success.
Ambassador Activities
The ambassadors program will launch in January 2026 and extend through the spring semester. We ask participants to engage in the following activities.
- Participate in a kickoff meeting in early January for orientation to the program (date and time TBD)
- Attend at least 1 CATLOE webinar during Accessibility Week (January 5-9, 2026)
- Complete the asynchronous online course “Access: A quest toward inclusion” in January and February 2026
- Share information about accessibility requirements and resources with their college/department/other colleagues throughout the spring semester
- Communicate regularly with CATLOE to share concerns and recommendations from colleagues throughout the spring semester
- Collaborate with CATLOE on one of the following activities to support faculty colleagues:
- Support facilitation of additional spring semester offerings of the Brightspace course “Access: A question toward inclusion.”
- Offer drop-in support (either in-person or virtually) for faculty 1-2 times during the spring semester.
How to Become an Ambassador
Complete the short application form indicating your interest in the program. Applications will be accepted through December 31, 2025.
Please contact Billie Franchini with any questions about the ambassadors program.