To make your course content accessible, check the following:
Use a Gradual, Planned Approach
Begin improving accessibility with the courses you are actively teaching. Focus on updating one course per semester, prioritizing high‑impact materials such as syllabi, assigned readings, and presentation slides. This incremental approach supports accessibility compliance while making the work manageable and sustainable over time. You can start with the “Is My Course Accessible?” checklist to plan your work.
Build on Existing Accommodations
Review course materials that were previously created or modified to accommodate individual students. Update these resources to meet current accessibility standards and incorporate them into your core course content. This practice transforms individual accommodations into universally accessible materials that support all learners.
Focus on One Content Type at a Time
To build efficiency and consistency, concentrate on making one type of content accessible across all of your courses at a time. For example, you might focus on Word documents and PowerPoint presentations one semester, then address images, videos, or spreadsheets in a later term. This strategy helps you develop strong accessibility skills that can be applied across courses.
Collaborate with Colleagues
Work with fellow instructors to share strategies and distribute the workload. Divide materials by content type or subject area, then review and provide feedback on each other’s updates. Collaboration promotes consistent accessibility practices and reinforces collective compliance with accessibility requirements.
Each step toward accessible design strengthens our commitment to equitable access and ensures that all students can fully participate in online learning.