Preparing Spring 2026 Course Materials for Digital Accessibility

As you prepare for the spring semester, the expectation is that all new course materials are accessible, and that existing materials are remediated over time.

Whether you are designing a new course or revising an existing one, it’s important to prioritize accessibility from the start. The Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) has an accessible ELMS-Canvas template and offers a virtual coaching series (Design Sprint) in January with a self-paced alternative to support your inclusive course design process.

• Enroll in a workshop or asynchronous training from TLTC or DIT’s Digital Accessibility team. You can also review digital accessibility training recordings at your own pace. Topics related to Universal Design for Learning and digital accessibility strategies will help you enhance your course.
• Review self-serve resources in this Digital Accessibility Guide for Instructors. It illustrates the 6 Essential Steps for course-focused strategies such as video captions, heading structure, alternative text, and color contrast principles.

The Division of Information Technology’s Digital Accessibility website outlines services, tools, and guidance for creating accessible documents, multimedia, ELMS-Canvas content, and other instructional technologies. It is recommended that you prioritize activities that are required for all students (e.g., core readings, slides, ELMS-Canvas pages, assessments, and required videos).

We recognize that achieving digital accessibility in some courses may be more complex than in others (e.g., courses with equations, diagrams, musical notation, chemistry structures, interactive simulations, etc.). In these situations, we recommend keeping existing resources in place. Begin by prioritizing materials for major assessments, then create a plan for more comprehensive improvements over time. You can also request a unit- or department-specific session to address unique challenges and solutions.

UMD's Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) will continue to provide guidance to students with approved accommodations. DIT’s Digital Accessibility team and TLTC staff are available to help with instructional questions regarding how to best serve individual students. Should a student with an accommodation contact you with specific digital accessibility needs, these accommodations must be provided promptly, even if other digital accessibility steps are still underway.

Lastly, as an instructor, it may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with members of the Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee and Digital Accessibility Liaisons, who can serve as key points of contact between you, your college or school and the central digital accessibility efforts across campus. These individuals can help you navigate questions, prioritize next steps, and connect with relevant tools, training, and support. Both groups have access to digital accessibility analytics dashboards, which provide key metrics for ELMS-Canvas courses via Ally and UMD websites registered on Siteimprove or DIT’s Website Registry. The dashboards are designed to support your unit in advancing accessibility efforts within your area of responsibility. Individuals on both committees can serve as resources in establishing a digital accessibility plan for your course(s).

We appreciate your commitment to inclusive instruction. Your efforts ensure equitable learning experiences for all students and are essential to fulfilling the university's commitment to digital accessibility.

Sincerely,