Accessible Course Design
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to the design and development of digital content, applications, and services that are usable by all people, including people with disabilities. It ensures that course materials are accessible to individuals who may use assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, or alternative input devices.
Why Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility promotes equal access to information and services for people with disabilities. It ensures that everyone can participate fully in the digital world. It aligns with 精选麻豆二区's Strategic Plan.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that digital content provided by public institutions meet specific accessibility standards.
Accessible design leads to improved usability for all users, not just those with disabilities, thereby enhancing academic success.
How do I get started?
1. Start with Accessibility in Mind
Design your course with accessibility in mind, so it is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. When you consider accessibility from the start, you avoid time-consuming content remediation and instead create materials that are flexible, engaging, and welcoming from day one. Starting fresh means you鈥檙e setting yourself and your students up for success.
2. Six Essential Steps
Start by exploring the page with the six essential steps to guide you toward digital accessibility.
3. Course Accessibility Report (Blackboard Ally)
Next, review your Blackboard to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement.
4. Digital Accessibility Checklist
Next, review the Digital Accessibility Checklist to focus on specific areas identified in your course accessibility report.
5. Microsoft and Adobe Files
Prior to uploading files to Blackboard or sharing by email, ensure your documents are accessible to all users from the start.
Microsoft
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As a final step, run the Microsoft to ensure your document is ready for all learners.
Microsoft documents that have good accessibility will seamlessly convert to an accessible PDF. Ensure you utilize the "Save As" option during the conversion process.
Adobe
6. Video and Audio captioning
Towson supports three media hosting platforms: Panopto, Stream, and VoiceThread. Please note: If you have a captioning request for a student with a documented disability, contact Accessibility & Disability Services at 410-704-2638.
Panopto
Panopto, Towson's preferred video hosting platform, offers captioning and transcript features available to all 精选麻豆二区 faculty and staff. Below are resources to support you in effectively posting and sharing media via Panopto, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Stream
Users also have the option to utilize OneDrive for generating captions and transcripts for non-lecture-based videos.
Stream is a video hosting platform that is part of Towson's Microsoft 365 platform, available to all Towson faculty, staff, and students. Users can enable autogenerated captions for uploaded video content.
- Review (.docx)
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a media-based presentation and discussion tool. Towson's VoiceThread licensing includes closed captioning. Every audio or video recording will be captioned automatically. Just like Panopto and OneDrive, captions should be reviewed for accuracy.
- Share a Voicethread as an in your Bb course
Digital Accessibility Workshop
Join FACET for the asynchronous Course Design with Digital Accessibility in Mind Workshop beginning October 10, 2025. Faculty will engage with each of the Six Essential Steps in module format. Those who complete the workshop will receive a certificate of completion.
Additional Accessibility Resources
(Do's and Don'ts)
(Color Contrast Analyzer)
FACET Instructional Design Support
If you would like additional help or support, please contact FACET or schedule an Instructional Design Consultation.