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Accessibility for Online Instruction

These standards are evolving, and will be provided in more detail later. For the time being, focus on these rules of thumb:

Digital Guidelines

  • Avoid handwritten documents
  • Find digital versions of photocopied documents, or recreate them
  • Use Microsoft products to produce new content for your class when possible
  • Use your Microsoft accessibility tools when creating content (styles sheets, bullet/numbers, checker)
  • Use Sans Serif Fonts
  • Remember: PDF and .HTM files are easier for your students to open online, and PDFs require remediation for accessibility
  • Avoid unnecessary bells and whistles (and color to avoid color contrast issues)
  • Avoid unnecessary tables - tables should be used for data presentation, not for visual layout. See table notes in Document Best Practices and the Improved Accessibility Tables tutorial
  • Avoid unnecessary visual and organizational complexity
  • Provide alternate text (alt text) for all images that convey meaning. 
  • Name your hyperlinks - links should tell the user where they will be sent

  • Live or recorded video must meet accessibility standards. There are a number of possible accessibility solutions for live or recorded video:

    • Recorded video delivered through Youtube or Panopto will include captains for the hearing impaired.  Faculty and instructors are expected to check captions prior to assignment to ensure accuracy.
    • Live video must be accompanied by sign language interpreters for live (Zoom) classes. Faculty and instructional staff should reach out to the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing to arrange sign language interpreters for live classes. Faculty and instructional staff are encouraged to find alternative methods of curriculum delivery, including video play back with captioning, to minimize expenses.
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