Digital Accessibility—Getting Started for Instructors

UND recognizes that accessibility is a continuous journey that requires us to adapt to changing standards and technologies. While it can feel overwhelming, progress is built over time, and you don't have to do it alone. There are numerous resources available to guide you along the way.

Start your Accessibility Journey

Getting Started

Are you ready to make your content digitally accessible? If so, you are probably at a loss of where to start. If so, no fear. TTaDA has created a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Explore resources on improving digital content, replacing inaccessible formats, accessibility best practices, and creating a more inclusive user experience.

Getting Started with Digital Accessibility

Learn Accessibility Best Practices

Now that you have an idea of what you should do, it is time to do it. You may find yourself stuck in this process. If so, TTaDA has curated a variety of support resources that can help you on your journey.

• Enroll in TTaDA's 10-Step Accessibility Challenge. This self-paced Blackboard Ultra course is designed to introduce you to Blackboard Ally and some of the common accessibility issues it identifies.
• Explore Common Accessibility Issues. This page breaks down the common accessibility issues that affect various types of content, including websites, PDFs, and other document formats. Understanding these fundamental issues can help you make changes that ensure all users can access and engage with your content effectively. 
• Participate in accessibility trainings and workshops. Not only does TTaDA offer the 10-Step Accessibility Challenge, TTaDA staff also routinely offers a range of workshops designed to support your accessibility journey.
• Take a variety of courses in Deque University. As part of its effort to meet the Title II ADA Digital Accessibility requirements, UND has partnered with Deque University to provide an expansive selection of on-demand digital accessibility training modules to all UND employees. These trainings address everything from the fundamentals of web accessibility to formatting individual document types, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PDF.

Seek Help

Visit our Help and Support page for more assistance.

• Submit an Accessibility Assistance Ticket
• Request an Instructional Design Consult
• Book an Appointment with the Accessibility Lab
• Connect with campus resources like the Equal Opportunity and Title IX office and the Student Disability Resources Office. 

Document Accessibility

Learn how to fix common accessibility issues in your documents. Whether you're working with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, or Ultra Documents, these guides will help you follow best practices to make your content accessible and inclusive for everyone.

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Excel
• PDFs
• Blackboard Ultra Documents

Course Accessibility

Take immediate steps to make your Blackboard course more accessible with TTaDA’s Course Materials page. This page outlines practical strategies and tools to help ensure that all students can access and engage with your content. From selecting accessible textbooks to designing inclusive documents and media, each step supports accessibility.

Accessible Strategies for Course Materials

What can you do to make your course more accessible for all students?

• Utilize Simple Syllabus to create an accessible syllabus.
• Evaluate your textbook’s accessibility.
• Assess Accessibility in Blackboard with Blackboard Ally.
• Integrate accessibility into every document.
• Create accessible video content.
• Develop polls in Vevox.
• Build accessible surveys in Qualtrics.
• Communicate and Collaborate with VoiceThread.
• Send accessible emails with Outlook.

Audio & Video Accessibility

Explore audio and video best practices such as audio descriptions, video captions, and transcripts. Learn how to apply them in platforms like YuJa, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

Audio and Video Best Practices

Online Meeting Accessibility

Explore best practices and etiquette for hosting accessible and inclusive online meetings in Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Accessibility in Online Meetings

Tools for Testing Accessibility

UND's Teaching Transformation & Development Academy offers a variety of tools and resources that can help faculty and staff evaluate and improve the accessibility of their digital content. 

• Blackboard Ally Accessibility Checker: Blackboard Ally works behind the scenes in Blackboard to check content accessibility and help you improve it. With built-in tips and guidance, Ally supports lasting changes that benefit all learners. It’s a simple way to make your course materials more inclusive.
• Screen Reader Testing: Screen readers are assistive technologies that convert digital content into speech or Braille, enabling users who are blind or visually impaired to navigate websites, documents, and applications. Find support for screen reader testing on documents and web pages to ensure your content is accessible, functional, and inclusive for all.
• Document Accessibility Checkers: Many software applications have a built-in accessibility checker to facilitate creators in making content accessible for people with disabilities. Find information on the Adobe Acrobat Checker, Office 365 Checker, and the PDF/UA Checker
• Color Contrast Checkers: Explore a list of dedicated color contrast checkers that will help you assess color in your files.