Making Course Materials Accessible: What Faculty Need to Know
As a faculty member, ensuring your course materials are accessible isn’t just a best practice, it’s a legal and institutional responsibility. Under federal ADA regulations and Weber State University PPM 3-34, all course content must be accessible to all learners.
That said, we know how overwhelming this work can feel. You don’t have to do everything at once. Think of accessibility as a journey with three major routes and choose the one that best fits your situation:
Route 1:
Build Content with Accessibility in Mind
This is the most efficient path. When you design content in Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, or Canvas using accessible templates and tools, it saves time and ensures students can engage with your material from day one.
Route 2:
Fix the Materials you Already Have
Start where you are. Whether you're working with PDFs, images, or lecture slides, there are manageable ways to improve accessibility. Use this guidance to make key improvements, or substitute inaccessible materials with better options.
Route: 3
Ask for Help with Complex Fixes
Some files, especially scanned PDFs, charts, and infographics, need advanced support. WSU Online and the accessibility team can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Make accessibility a regular part of your workflow. It’s easier (and more effective) to design access into your materials than to retrofit it later.
Accessible Courses Help Students Learn
WSU Online offers a variety of resources to help you ensure your content is accessible to all students. First, we take a look at the content you have in Canvas. Then we provide services to help ensure your content is accessible. Finally, we offer training opportunities so you can create content with accessibility in mind.
Reach out to us in WSU Online for help and any questions you have about accessibility at 801-626-6188 or instructionaldesign@weber.edu.
Accessibility in Canvas Canvas Accessibility Report
If you receive an accommodation letter from a student, work with Disability Services to ensure you are providing appropriate accommodations.
Remediation Quick Tips
1. Start with the original file
It’s much easier to make a Word, PowerPoint, or Google Doc accessible than to fix a PDF later.
2. Pause and reconsider the material
Could a better version already exist? WSU librarians are a fantastic resource—they can help you find accessible alternatives or higher-quality versions of the content you need.
3. Explore substitution options
Sometimes a different reading, video, or resource can serve the same purpose with fewer accessibility barriers. You can also bring print materials to the library to be scanned with higher clarity and quality
4. Use accessible templates
PowerPoint, Canvas, and other tools offer templates designed with accessibility in mind—starting here sets you up for success.
5. Check for simple fixes
Headings, readable fonts, strong contrast, and clear link text go a long way. These small changes make your content more usable for everyone
6. Add alt text as you go
When you include images, take a moment to write a brief description. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for screen reader users.
7. Avoid scanned PDFs
Scanned documents are often unreadable by assistive technologies. If you must use them, consult with the library or consider reformatting in Word or Canvas.
8. Use built-in accessibility checkers
Tools like Word’s Accessibility Checker or Adobe Acrobat’s tools can quickly flag and guide you through basic improvements.
9. Ask: Does this need to be a PDF?
Canvas pages and MS Word documents are easier to create in an accessible format.