Instructor Resources
Instructor resources include checklists, guides, and an optional Blackboard Accessibility course. In addition, office hours on digital accessibility topics, efforts, and consulting will be available.
What do faculty and instructors need to do?
Explore the resources linked throughout this site. Take advantage of UIC’s many digital accessibility training options, and feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions or need specific consult!
What are suggested plans of action?
To make your course materials accessible by 2026, consider following one of these plans:
Gradual Overhaul
Starting with your current semester’s material, update one course per semester. You can focus on high-impact elements first, such as syllabi, course texts, and slide decks. This approach allows you to work incrementally through your courses.
Leverage Existing Accommodations
Start with materials that were previously created or adapted for students seeking accommodations. Upgrade these to meet all accessibility standards, then integrate them into your main course content. This approach turns one-off accommodations into inclusive content that benefits everyone.
Content Type Focus
Tackle one type of content at a time across all your courses. For example, this semester you might focus on Word documents and PPT in all of your courses. Then next semester, you might move onto images or spreadsheets. This approach helps you develop expertise in specific accessibility techniques.
Collaborative Approach
Partner with colleagues to share the workload. Divide materials by topic or type, then review and update each other’s work to share what you learned.
Every step you take brings us closer to a fully accessible educational experience for all students.
Accessible Course Requirements and Key Principes
- A comprehensive list of requirements for digital content accessibility across all media (website, mobile applications, etc.) is available via the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- However, the requirements that apply directly to static documents and videos are much narrower in scope and can be summarized into smaller, easy-to-follow principles.
Resources for Instructors
To support faculty and instructors with Digital Accessibility, UIC offers:
Blackboard Accessibility Course
- Participants who complete the program can earn a digital badge, recognizing efforts to create more inclusive learning environments. Sign up for the Blackboard Course.
Digital Accessibility Office Hours
- Digital Accessibility Office Hours for consultations and questions with a representative from UIC’s digital accessibility efforts available for drop-ins and consultations
Webinars and Training
- Workshops and webinars on alt text, media and other accessibility topics.
- Resources and training on digital accessibilty.
Accessibility Liaison Program
- The Accessibility Liaison program aims to enhance UIC’s commitment to digital accessibility and inclusion and provides UIC community with a dedicate team to provide accessibility initiatives. Visit the UIC Accessibility Liaison Program Page.