Instructors

Guidelines for Instructors

Instructors may receive a variety of accommodation requests; however, classroom materials that use the framework of Universal Design in Learning (UDL) allow all students to use, learn, and navigate the course most effectively.

In the classroom, accessibility guidelines are regulated by Sections 508 and 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under these regulations, there are minimum standards of accessibility that classroom materials and experiences must meet. Instructors who utilize the concept of Universal Design for Learning when designing educational material and experiences will create a class environment that reaches a variety of learners, including those with accommodation requirements.

The Importance of Your Role

Instructors as leaders of accessibility are central to students with disabilities. Most students’ time is spent in their courses and working with the content instructors have provided. Inaccessible materials and experiences can be barriers to students’ success.

Action Plan

Plan Ahead

Plan for accessibility and inclusion from the beginning, at the point you are developing or modifying a new course or activity, rather than as an afterthought to your course development. What does it mean to plan for accessibility? Planning for accessibility means the instructor has considered potential ways an activity might not be accessible for some students, or the instructor has included a variety of ways to present material and assess learning. Use the Teacher’s Toolbox as a resource to learn about the instructional technology available to you.

This way, you will create a more inclusive atmosphere that meets more students’ needs and acknowledges students’ gifts rather than what may be perceived as limitations.

Incorporate Inclusive Classroom Activities

Vary the way you present content, activities you use in class, and assessment techniques to create a more inclusive classroom for everyone. Rethink traditional classroom activities and resources to meet diverse student needs. Use the Universal Design in Learning Framework (UDL) to create courses that are not only accessible but support the learning of diverse students. Designing with the UDL Framework allows instructors to reach a diverse range of students, and it gives students multiple ways to learn content and demonstrate knowledge.

Canvas Courses

Canvas Pages and Assignments should also be accessible to students. Use the Pope Tech Accessibility Checker that is built into Canvas, as well as the accessibility checker built into the Rich Content Editor.

Create Accessible Syllabi & Other Course Materials

Your syllabi should be formatted for accessibility in the same manner as any other digital document. Please remember that an accessible Word document will have to be remediated again if it is saved as a PDF. See these resources available in Canvas to learn how to make accessible digital documents.

Instructors should verify that the accessibility of course materials, including textbooks, OER materials, and ancillary materials meet the requirements of section 508. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, captioning video content, and checking the accessibility of PowerPoint presentations and digital textbooks. Publisher materials in the form of images do not provide accessible content.

Develop a Plan B

Students with a range of abilities should be able to participate in whatever learning experiences you design for your course. We recognize that while apps and technologies may work for many students, there may be specific exceptions, so we encourage you to think about a plan B: How will a student with a disability have an equivalent experience if they can't use that app? What specific modifications or accommodations will you have to make? Remember though, all technology must meet section 508 guidelines. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Clovis’ instructional designer, tracy.stuntz@cloviscollege.edu, for more information and guidance.

Resources: Training and Professional Development

Visit the Accessibility Resources page for links to training, tools, and resources.