Creating Accessible Instructional Materials
The electronic files that instructors create to convey content can be made more accessible to all students including those with disabilities by the wise use of specific features of the programs used to create the materials.
Start Here: Creating an accessible course syllabus
Tutorials and Guides
- Tutorial: Create accessible Word documents (WebAIM.org)
- Tutorial: Create accessible PowerPoint documents (WebAIM.org)
- Tutorial: Create accessible Acrobat (PDF) documents (WebAIM.org)
- Tutorial: Creating accessible documents with Office 2003 (CSU Faculty EnACT project)
- Tutorial: Creating accessible documents with Office 2007 (CSU Faculty EnACT project)
- Reference Guide: Differences between MS Word 2003 and MS Word 2007 in accessibility features (PDF)
Training
Scanning Printed Documents
Faculty should provide electronic versions of printed materials in a character-readable and editable format so that assistive technology can be used. TLP has high speed scanners and optical character recognition (OCR) software to help you ensure that they are accessible. The Technology and Learning Program lab has staff available to assist faculty with the use of these scanners and OCR software. For more information, call (530) 898-6167 or send an email to tlp@csuchico.edu.
Consultations
You may wish to schedule a consultation with a TLP Instructional Material Consultant to help you assess any accessibility barriers present in your materials or instructional approach. TLP and the Disability Support Services office work with their colleagues statewide to keep informed about the latest trainings, technology and information available to help faculty make their courses as accessible as possible.