Creating Inclusive Content: Accessibility and Universal Design

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Ensuring ADA and Section 508 compliance is a top priority when creating course materials or web content. Regardless of the platform used, all digital content shared with students, faculty, or staff must meet accessibility standards.

Accessibility ensures that everyone can access your digital content with a screen reader and navigate easily with their keyboard. Content must be created with accessibility in mind to meet ADA Title II compliance with federal laws and institutional values of equity and inclusion.

This guide offers practical tips, tools, platform-specific instructions, and support resources to help you design inclusive content.

Quick Accessibility Checklist

Add accurate alt text to all meaningful images
Use clear structure: headings, lists, and proper reading order
Ensure high contrast and readable font sizes
Include captions or transcripts for all audio and video
Avoid using color alone to convey information
Write descriptive link text (e.g., "Download syllabus" instead of "Click here")
Run a built-in accessibility checker (Canvas, Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro)

Important Note: Adobe Reader does not include an accessibility checker. SVSU employees must use Adobe Acrobat Pro to identify and fix accessibility issues to ensure their PDFs meet ADA Title II compliance before uploading or sharing them. Read this article on how to use the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat Pro.

Accessibility Resources and Accommodations Office

While we can provide general guidance, accessibility legislation continues to evolve. For the most up-to-date information and personalized support, please contact the

Accessibility Resources and Accommodations Office
989-964-7000
access@svsu.edu

Creating Accessible Media

All media shared online or across campus whether embedded, hyperlinked, or downloaded must include a transcript which must be reviewed for correctness. Closed captions can be applied, once a transcript is 99% accurate.

While EchoVideo, Microsoft Stream, Teams, and Zoom offer auto-captioning, these tools require manual review and correction to meet accuracy standards. Common errors stem from:

Background noise
Rapid speech or interruptions
Strong accents
Technical language or jargon

Transcript and Captioning Support SVSU provides support for transcription and captioning within reasonable limits. Contact the Accessibility Resources and Accommodations Office to request assistance.

Please note: transcription and captioning can take several months, so submit your request at least one semester in advance.

Additional Resources

Microsoft Accessibility site (current advice, tools, and initiatives)
Writing Effective Alt Text (within Microsoft products)
WebAIM: Alternative Text (write effective alt text for web accessibility)

Canvas

EchoVideo

Transcript Editing and Adding Captions
Alt text field available for polls multiple choice and image quiz slides.
Accessibility widget (accessible and inclusive features for users to select)
Accessibility - Echo360 (Chapters, Live Captions, a searchable transcript, and more)