Accessible Course Materials: Guidelines for Inclusive Learning

Accessible Course Materials: Guidelines for Inclusive Learning

Ensuring course materials are accessible benefits all students, including those with disabilities. Follow these best practices to create slides, documents, and course content that are inclusive and easy to use.

1. Documents and PDFs

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  • Use structured headings (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2) for easy navigation.
  • Provide text-based PDFs rather than scanned images. Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for existing scanned documents. Get document conversion services from OAS.
  • Ensure high contrast (e.g., black text on a white background) for readability.
  • Use descriptive hyperlinks (e.g., “Read the syllabus” instead of “Click here”).

2. Presentations and Slides

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  • Use built-in slide layouts (e.g., in PowerPoint or Google Slides) for screen reader compatibility.
  • Add alt text to all images, charts, and graphics.
  • Avoid using color as the sole means of conveying information—pair it with text or patterns.
  • Ensure sufficient font size (24pt or larger) and simple, sans-serif fonts for readability.

3. Videos and Audio Content

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4. Digital Course Platforms and PDFs

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  • Use accessible Learning Management System (LMS) features, such as properly formatted discussion boards and assignments.
  • Ensure external websites and resources comply with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

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