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Accessible Course Content

Accessible Course Content

Digital accessibility benefits everyone — even people without disabilities. On top of that, many students with disabilities may choose not to disclose their disability status. 

By proactively improving the accessibility of your digital course materials, you can help improve the learning experience and support success for all students. While not comprehensive, building these practices into your course preparation will make your digital materials easier to use for all students.

Accessibility Checklists

Check out the our accessibility checklists for accessible course content, and use them as a companion while creating or updating documents.

Prevent Future Accessibility Issues

The most effective way to improve course accessibility is to build accessibility into your course and materials from the start. The 7 Core Skills of Digital Accessibility emphasizes practical techniques that apply to all course content. 

By completing the 7 Core Skills Canvas Course, you'll learn why it's helpful to complete these steps and how to get started:

  • Provide alternative text for images
  • Improve readability by maintaining adequate color contrast
  • Write clear, descriptive links
  • Look for and use "Check Accessibility" whenever possible
  • Use simple tables and apply appropriate headers
  • Accurately caption your videos
  • Provide audio transcripts
  • Correctly format headings and lists

OHIO Resources

  • Document Remediation

    PDFs are great for distributing documents that need to be printed, but PDFs that are meant to be read online are more difficult to make accessible. We recommend using alternatives such as web pages to render the information or converting forms to Qualtrics or Microsoft Forms. If you must use a PDF online, the document must be compliant OR the same information rendered correctly in HTML (or a source document like Word) must accompany it.

    You can work with University Communications and Marketing to have documents that must remain in PDF format remediated.

    Document Remediation

  • Office for University Accessibility

    The Office for University Accessibility provides leadership and accountability in creating inclusive experiences for people with disabilities who are students, employees and members of the public through multiple approaches.

    Connect with Accessibility Services if you need training or support related to disability, accessibility and inclusion. You can also find resources for accommodating and supporting students.

    Office for University Accessibility

Improve the Digital Learning Experience

  • Contact Accessibility Services if any of your students are reporting accessibility issues.
  • During a synchronous online course session, ask all participants to mute microphones unless they are speaking.
  • If you are using Teams to deliver a lecture in real time, change your status to “Do Not Disturb” and close mail and other programs that send you notifications.
  • Turn captions on for videos when using them in presentations.
  • Turn on “Live Captions” if it is available (PowerPoint instructions):
    • Live captions work best on the desktop version of PowerPoint – you can share your desktop during the presentation.
    • Rehearse your presentation to see how it works with captions turned on.
    • Use an external microphone if possible (earbuds with a microphone, AirPods will work as well).
    • Speak clearly.

Accessibility in Your Syllabi

Include Details on Activities To Complete

Allow adequate time for activities, projects, and tests; for example, give details of project assignments in the syllabus so that students can start working on them early.

Add an Accessibility Statement

Sample Syllabus Statement (you may copy and paste it into your syllabus, if you wish):

"Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs and provide written documentation from Accessibility Services. If you are not yet registered as a student with a disability, please contact Accessibility Services at 740-593-2620 or visit the office in Alden Library 101."

External Resources