Digital Accessibility Basics: Instructional Content

Audience

Anyone who creates, maintains, or manages digital instructional materials on behalf of the University of Northern Iowa. This includes course content in the learning management system (LMS), syllabi, assignments, readings, presentations, embedded media, and other materials used to support instruction.

Digital Accessibility at the University of Northern Iowa

What to Focus On

When developing or updating instructional materials, prioritize:

  • Clear structure and consistent organization
  • Accessible documents, media, and interactive activities
  • Content that works with assistive technologies commonly used by students

Instructional accessibility should be built in from the start whenever possible, particularly for required course materials and core learning activities.

Accessibility Checklist

Use the checklist below when developing new courses or updating existing instructional materials. Not all items will apply in every situation.

Course Content and Structure

  • Use built-in heading styles to organize content within the LMS and documents
  • Use built-in bulleted and numbered lists rather than manually typed symbols
  • Use descriptive, meaningful link text throughout course materials
  • Ensure a logical reading order in all documents and presentations

Documents and Files

  • Ensure all uploaded documents meet UNI digital content standards
  • Use accessible templates for syllabi, assignments, and instructional handouts
  • Build accessibility into source files before exporting to PDF
  • If a required instructional material is not accessible, the instructor and department must provide an accessible version or equally effective alternative promptly while remediation is underway

Media and Multimedia

  • Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all instructional videos
  • Provide text alternatives or descriptions for audio-only or visual-only content
  • Follow UNI video accessibility guidance for caption quality and synchronization

Forms and Interactive Content

  • Label all form fields clearly and programmatically
  • Ensure interactive activities are operable using a keyboard
  • Provide clear instructions and feedback that can be understood by assistive technologies

Accessibility Indicators

Accessibility tools can help instructors and departments identify issues and prioritize improvements over time. For example, Blackboard courses should aim to reach an Ally “green” score (60 or higher) as a baseline signal of accessibility improvement.

Indicators support planning and continuous improvement and do not replace WCAG compliance or accommodation obligations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Uploading scanned or image-based PDFs without text recognition
  • Using color alone to convey meaning or importance
  • Posting videos without captions or relying on unedited auto-captions
  • Relying solely on accessibility scores without reviewing underlying issues