Fundamental Course Accessibility Checklist and Training Modules
This Course Accessibility Checklist provides the fundamental initial course accessibility requirements to improve a new or existing course for accessibility for everyone. This is not an exhaustive list and there are more standards that are not included in this list that may create barriers for students with disabilities in your course. However, this checklist is a great start to making your course more accessible to everyone and we truly appreciate the effort to do so!
Whether you are creating a new course or editing a current course, you can use this checklist to begin to improve access to your course content. There are also downloadable versions available for you to have in your files as a source of support each time you are setting you your courses.
Select accessible course materials that provide access for everyone.
A few tips:
- Prioritize recently published text 2018 to present which include accessible features.
- Ask the publisher or content provider about accessibility of course text or materials.
- Choose and share course materials early and post to Canvas course site and syllabus.
- Use Rutgers University Libraries to assist in locating accessible course materials (e.g. Library Accessibility Services and Academic Search Premier)
- Use accessible documents (e.g., accessible Microsoft 365 documents, HTML document, Google docs., and when necessary use accessible PDF ’s) or create content natively in Canvas or LMS using the Rich Text Editor.
- Use the Canvas Accessibility Checker.
- Use available Accessibility Checkers (e.g., Microsoft and Canvas).
- Use Sensus Access to make inaccessible documents more accessible.
- Provide an Accessible Syllabus.
- Create accessible lecture slides.
- Ensure Video and multimedia content is accessible.
- Determine how to best use PDF’s.
- Check Canvas content accessibility using Canvas Ally.
- Ensure that any course technologies being used are accessible. OIT does vet university-sponsored course technologies for accessibility. If using other course technologies, work with the vendor and OIT to ensure they are accessible.
Download a copy of Fundamental Course Accessibility Checklist for New Courses
- Use TidyUp to streamline the course content that is used in the revised course.
- Check Canvas content accessibility using Canvas Ally.
Select accessible course materials that provide access for everyone.
A few tips:
- Prioritize recently published text 2018 to present which include accessible features.
- Ask the publisher or content provider about accessibility of course text or materials.
- Choose and Share Course Materials Early and post to Canvas site and syllabus.
- Use Rutgers University Libraries to assist in locating accessible course materials (e.g. Library Accessibility Services and Academic Search Premier)
- Use accessible documents (e.g., accessible Microsoft 365 documents, HTML document, Google docs., and when necessary use accessible PDF ’s) or create content natively in Canvas or LMS using the Rich Text Editor and the Canvas Accessibility Checker.
- Use the Canvas Accessibility Checker.
- Use available Accessibility Checkers (e.g., Microsoft and Canvas).
- Use Sensus Access to make inaccessible documents more accessible.
- Provide an Accessible Syllabus.
- Create accessible lecture slides. If using slides that were already created, run the accessibility checker in the platform to see what edits may be needed (e.g., Microsoft Accessibility Checker).
- Ensure Video and multimedia content is accessible.
- Determine how to best use PDF’s.
- Ensure that any course technologies being used are accessible. OIT does vet university-sponsored course technologies for accessibility. If using other course technologies, work with the vendor and OIT to ensure they are accessible.
Download a copy of Fundamental Course Accessibility Checklist-Editing Existing Courses
Training Modules
The syllabus outlines the most essential components of the course. Without an accessible version, students are left in the dark. It is typically the first document posted, and its level of accessibility sets up students' expectations for the remainder of the course.
Thoughtfully selecting and organizing course materials is essential for creating an inclusive and accessible learning experience. This page offers tips for choosing accessible content for your Canvas site to help all students, including those with disabilities, engage more effectively.
By archiving materials that are no longer being used, not only will this move you towards a more accessible course, but it will also make for easier navigation for the professor and students.
To get started, use the formatting and style tools available to you in the platform, create meaningful hyperlinks, include alternative text (image descriptions), and use high contrast colors.
To get started, use the formatting and style tools available to you in the platform, create meaningful hyperlinks, include alternative text (image descriptions), use high contrast colors, and avoid using graphics, animations, and transitions that do not enhance the purpose of the presentation and only offer visual stimulation.
Before using a PDF, determine what it's purpose is and if the document can be shared in a different format. If it cannot, be in a different format, take steps to make that document accessible.
Ensuring videos have appropriate captioning and audio descriptions is an essential component of accessibility and can be done with a few steps.
Information on ways to ensure an accessible virtual classroom experience, or other types of meetings, for disabled students.