Full course description
Overview:
AccessibleU: Digital Accessibility for Instructors is a comprehensive, self-paced course developed in collaboration with the UMass Amherst Provost's Office and the Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) group. This course empowers instructors to create inclusive digital learning environments where every student has equal opportunity to engage, learn, and thrive.
Whether you teach online, hybrid, or face-to-face, accessibility principles apply to all instructional materials—from syllabi and PowerPoint presentations to videos, Canvas pages, and printed handouts. AccessibleU provides the knowledge and tools you need to meet the updated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level A & AA standards, demonstrate compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, and proactively design courses that benefit all learners.
What You'll Learn:
- Empathy and understanding of experiences of learners with disabilities and understanding of how assistive technology like screen readers work.
- The principles and legal requirements of digital accessibility, including WCAG, ADA Title II, and Massachusetts state regulations.
- How to apply the POUR framework (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust) to evaluate and improve course content.
- Practical strategies for creating accessible documents in Microsoft Suite, Google Workspace, and PDFs.
- How to add captions, transcripts, alt text, and audio descriptions to multimedia content.
- Best practices for accessible course design in Canvas, including the use of the Pope Tech Accessibility Checker.
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to support diverse learners.
- How to build a continuous improvement plan for ongoing accessibility enhancement.
Course Structure:
The course includes seven self-directed modules that can be completed at your own pace. We recommend starting with Modules 1, 2, and 3 to build foundational knowledge of accessibility, legal standards, and key accessibility practices, then exploring Modules 4–6 to focus on the tools and content types most relevant to your courses. The course is designed to serve as an ongoing reference as you create and revise materials over time.
Support and Resources:
Throughout the course, you'll find links to useful tools and resources, as well as examples of how UMass Amherst is currently supporting instructors on working toward digital accessibility. If you are an instructional designer or accessibility professional, this course can provide an example of how support works at our institution. We hope this adds to the conversation of institutions building and maturing models for accessibility and inclusion on campuses. No one should be expected to navigate accessibility alone—this course connects you to a network of expertise and support.
Earn Your Badge:
Upon completion, you will earn a digital badge to showcase your expertise in accessible course design within the university, on LinkedIn, and other professional platforms. This badge demonstrates your commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success.
Values:
Accessibility is not just compliance—it's a reflection of our values. By designing with accessibility in mind from the start, we create learning environments where every student can reach their full potential. Join us in building more inclusive higher education.