Practical Advice for New Accessibility Standards Series
Join us for an engaging series of workshops designed to empower instructors with practical strategies for creating accessible learning environments! Each session will dive into the importance of accessibility in education, providing you with actionable tips and tools to enhance your teaching materials and strategies. Whether you're working with Canvas, documents, or videos, you'll leave equipped to foster inclusivity and to support all students in their learning journeys. You’ll also receive a foundational overview of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), strengthening your ability to meet essential inclusivity standards. For each session, feel free to bring your own materials from class so you can ask questions and apply the concepts taught in the workshop. Let’s make accessibility a priority together!
Eligible Participants: Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Course Instructors, Graduate Students, and Staff (AP and Civil Service).
Session 1
Accessible Canvas
Register for this session by Wednesday, September 30
In this dynamic session, we’ll explore why accessibility matters and how it can transform the learning experience for all courses, whether you are teaching face-to-face or online. Discover the secrets to creating a consistent layout that enhances navigation and learn how to effectively use headings to structure your content. We’ll explore the essentials of alt text for images, crafting meaningful hyperlinks, and ensuring color contrast that is easy on the eyes. Plus, we’ll tackle cognitive load and how to simplify your course materials for better comprehension. Bring questions or ideas about your Canvas course; we will have time for questions and hands-on practice. Get ready to make your Canvas courses more inclusive and engaging! Registration is required.
Session 2
Accessible Documents
Register for this session by Wednesday, October 14
Join us for an interactive workshop focused on making your Word, PDF, and PowerPoint documents accessible to every learner. We’ll kick off with a discussion on why accessibility is crucial in all formats. You’ll learn how to maintain a consistent layout across different document types, utilize headings for better organization, and add alt text that conveys the right message. We’ll also cover the importance of hyperlinks and color contrast, ensuring your documents are not only informative but also visually accessible. Bring questions or ideas about your Canvas course; we will have time for questions and hands-on practice. By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools to create documents that everyone can read and understand! Registration is required.
Session 3
Accessible Video
Register for this session by Wednesday, October 28
In our final accessibility session of the series, we’ll focus on the vital role of accessible videos in education. Discover why accessibility matters in video content and how it can enhance learning for all students. We’ll discuss the importance of providing descriptions and hints for low-vision students, ensuring that your visual content is inclusive. Learn how to create effective transcripts that support both comprehension and engagement. This workshop will equip you with practical tips to make your video materials accessible, engaging, and beneficial for every learner. Let’s bring your videos to life in a way that everyone can enjoy! Registration is required.
