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Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s a nurtured habit of mind. One that grows with practice, adapts as technology changes, and responds to our evolving understanding of inclusion. Whether you're updating a syllabus, sharing a video, or creating a Canvas module, every small design decision has the potential to open—or close—doors for your students.

As faculty and staff, you play a vital role in ensuring that students can access the information, services, and learning experiences they need to succeed. Below, you'll find curated accessibility resources with commentary on what to expect. These tools support your work and offer guidance no matter where you are in your accessibility journey.

Creating Accessible Documents: 7 Simple Steps

Accessible documents can feel daunting at first—but Indiana University has created a practical, easy-to-follow guide that breaks the process into seven key areas:

• Headings – Use built-in heading styles to structure content

• Images – Include alternative (alt) text for all images

• Links – Write clear, descriptive link text

• Color – Use strong contrast between text and background

• Lists – Use built-in list functions (not hyphens or tabs)

• Tables – Use table tools to define headers and layout

• Video/Audio – Caption all videos and provide transcripts for audio

These principles apply whether you're using Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, or uploading a PDF.
Visit Indiana University’s guide on accessible documents

Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)

This guide goes beyond document design. It offers guidance on course structure, classroom etiquette, and how to navigate conversations about disability with empathy and professionalism. UDI is about designing courses that work well for everyone from the start—not just retrofitting after barriers arise.

Penn State Accessibility Resources

Penn State offers a comprehensive hub for creating accessible digital course content. You'll find guidance on captioning, formatting text, designing math content, and more. It's a go-to site for quick tutorials and deep dives alike.

Accessibility Standards Cheat Sheets

The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) provides helpful cheat sheets for commonly used programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. These downloadable PDFs are great reference tools when you're short on time but want to get it right.

Color Contrast Checker

Color contrast affects readability and visual clarity across course materials. Venngage offers a free tool to check whether your color choices meet accessibility standards. A great step for presentations, graphics, and Canvas pages.