Accessible Course Design

Accessibility Guidance

Courses must be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities unless equally effective alternative access is provided in another manner.

Planning an Accessible Course

Design a predictable and consistent course structure:

• Meet with a FACET instructional designer in a one-on-one consultation to discuss accessibility. 
• Use FACET's course templates in Blackboard to get started in designing your course with diverse users in mind.

“ Accessible instructional design is good instructional design regardless of modality. ”

Digital Accessibility

Videos should be captioned and audio-only format should be accompanied by a transcript. For students who use media or real-time captioning, or who use a sign language interpreter, this is critical.

Links

• Uploading video to Panopto
• Panopto auto-captioning
• Closed Captioning Style Guide (PDF)
• ADS Special Captioning Request Form

Resources

Individuals with disabilities may use a variety of assistive technologies to access course information. 

• The Blackboard Accessibility Tool, Ally assesses document accessibility levels and provides indicators that guide faculty on ways to improve accessibility. Ally also offers alternative formats for students with disabilities. 
• The Academic Commons in Cook Library has assistive technology-enabled computers for students and faculty use.
• Cook Library resources for people with Disabilities. 

Textbooks

The TU Bookstore has recently adopted the Direct Access and Affordable Course Materials Initiative. This program provides accessible interactive course materials at reduced costs. This program uses RedShelf's eReader. For more information about the accessibility features of the program, check out Redshelf's eReader Accessibility Information.