Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The following materials were developed, in large part, by San Francisco State University, Sacramento State University, and the California State University, Office of the Chancellor. These accessibility guides and resources will help make your learning environment more accessible, to all learners.  As you prepare or revise a course, ask yourself the following questions, regarding potential access issues.

Print Materials

1. Textbooks and course readers
• Did I submit my textbook adoption request to the Bookstore before the deadlines? See your institutions policy on timely adoption of textbooks.  Sample policies: San Francisco State University, Sacramento State University, California State University, Stanislaus (pdf)
• Did I submit my set of course reader materials in a clean, readable format to the Bookstore for copying?
2. Syllabi and Handouts
• Did I create my syllabus in an accessible format?
• Did I use appropriate formatting so that students using assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software, can effectively access the information?
• Do my Word documents pass the grade according to the Word Accessibility Tips and Guidelines?
• How to Create an Accessible Word document: Guides, Tutorials, Tools, Resources & Best Practices
• Do my PDF documents pass the grade according to the PDF Accessibility Checklist?
• Did I include the Disability Statement in my syllabus as worded in the AP 5140 Students with Disabilities: General Academic Adjustments?
3. PowerPoint
• Do my PowerPoint documents pass the grade according to the PowerPoint Accessibility Checklist?
• MS PowerPoint Accessibility: Video Tutorials
• How to Create an Accessible PowerPoint document

Nonprint Materials

1. VHS/DVD
• Are the video presentations (DVDs, video tapes, video podcasts, other video formats) available with captioning?
• If not, is a transcript of the video presentation available?
• If not, do I have a plan so that all students can have equitable access to the information?
• Identifying Captioning Needs
• Sample Caption Request Form -Check with Grace
2. Internet Resources
• Are the Internet resources (e.g. websites, blogs, wikis, etc) that I plan to use in class accessible for students? One way to check is by using the manual web assessment procedure.
• If the Internet resources are not accessible, do I have a plan to make these resources available in an alternative format so that all students can have access to the same information?
3. Course Streaming/Podcasting
• Are the audio presentations (CDs, audio podcasts, audio clips, other audio formats) available with a transcript?
• If not, do I have a plan to make these audio presentations available in an alternative format so that all students have access to the same information?
4. Use of Learning Management System (LMS)
• Is my campus LMS accessible?
• Do the instructional materials in my course meet the Course Accessibility Checklist recommendations (all items above, as relevant)?
• Do I use clear naming conventions throughout my LMS course?
• If students are required to participate in peer editing activities, are the files they are sharing with one another accessible?
• Do I have a training plan or self-help resources for them if necessary?
• If a student requires extended time to take a quiz or needs a quiz in another format, do I have a plan to make these accommodations?