Faculty at Daemen have created rich, engaging courses. Now it’s time to make sure every student can access and benefit from them.
The Accessible Course Design Checklist, aligned with Quality Matters (QM) General Standard 8, gives you a clear path to review and revise your course with accessibility in mind. From structure and readability to captions and alt text, this checklist will guide you in removing barriers and building a more inclusive learning environment.
👉 To make the process manageable, we recommend a three-week, step-by-step plan. If you dedicate just 30 to 60 minutes per workday, you can revise your entire course by the end of Week 3!
Review the 3-week plan below, followed by the accessibility checklist.
🧭 Your 3-Week Accessibility Plan
Courses with 10–12 modules can feel like a lot to revise—but you don’t have to do it all in one day. With just 30 to 60 minutes per workday, you can check and update the accessibility of your full course in three weeks. Here’s how to break it down:
🔹 Week 1: Structure & Readability (QM 8.1–8.3)
This week, focus on the structure and visual clarity of your course. These updates improve navigation and help all learners—especially those using screen readers or studying in different environments.
- Navigation (QM 8.1): Use consistent layouts with clearly labeled modules.
- Readability (QM 8.2): Use heading styles, bullet lists, and plain language to improve clarity.
- Text Formatting (QM 8.3): Ensure good contrast and avoid relying on color or bold alone to convey meaning.
Why this matters: Clear structure reduces cognitive load and makes it easier for all students to follow your course, especially those using assistive tech.
✅ Next Step: Block 30–60 minutes each workday to revise 1–2 modules. Use Blackboard’s built-in accessibility checker to identify formatting issues. Apply consistent heading structures, clean up font choices, and break up long paragraphs with lists or visual markers.
🔹 Week 2: Multimedia & Visuals (QM 8.4–8.5)
This week is all about visual and audio content. These are common pain points for accessibility—but the fixes are clear and impactful.
- Accessible Images (QM 8.4): Add descriptive alt text to any meaningful image—charts, graphs, screenshots, etc.—especially in slideshows and videos. Mark purely decorative images as such.
- Videos & Audio (QM 8.5): Caption all videos and provide transcripts for any audio-only content. Use platforms like Panopto or YouTube for easy captioning.
- Slideshows in Lecture Videos: If you use slides in a recorded lecture, provide the original file (PowerPoint or PDF) in the module. This allows students with visual impairments to access the content using a screen reader. Alternatively, be sure to describe each visual element aloud in the video.
Why this matters: Without captions, alt text, or access to slides, students may miss essential course content, especially those with visual or hearing impairments.
✅ Next Step: Make a list of all multimedia used across your course. Then, each day this week, revise 1–2 modules: add alt text to slides, upload any missing slideshow files, and check videos for captions. If a video lacks spoken descriptions of images, either re-record with narration or provide a text-based summary.
🔹 Week 3: Advanced Access & Vendor Review (QM 8.3, 8.6–8.7)
In the final stretch, focus on more advanced accessibility features—things that can easily be missed, but matter just as much.
- Avoid Text in Images (QM 8.3): Replace scanned documents or image-only content with actual text that screen readers can access.
- Vendor Accessibility (QM 8.6–8.7): If you’re using publisher content or third-party tools, check for published accessibility statements and link them in your course.
- Device Flexibility: Confirm that course materials display properly on phones, tablets, and desktops.
Why this matters: Students using assistive tech or mobile devices may face unnecessary roadblocks if content isn’t flexible and accessible across platforms.
✅ Next Step: Review one to two modules per day to identify any inaccessible PDFs, tools, or plug-ins. Replace scanned readings with OCR-enabled versions or plain text alternatives. Test modules on your phone or tablet to catch formatting or navigation issues. If you’re unsure about a vendor tool, reach out to the ID team for help reviewing their accessibility practices.
✅ Accessibility Checklist
Navigation (QM 8.1)
▢ Use a clear, consistent layout in Blackboard
▢ Organize modules with intuitive titles
Readability (QM 8.2)
▢ Use headings, lists & plain language
▢ Choose legible fonts and spacing
Accessible Text (QM 8.3)
▢ Structure content with H1, H2, etc.
▢ Use high-contrast color combos
▢ Avoid text inside images
Accessible Images (QM 8.4)
▢ Add alt text for meaningful images (especially in slideshows)
▢ Mark decorative images as such
Video/Audio (QM 8.5)
▢ Caption all videos
▢ Provide transcripts for audio-only
Multimedia & Vendors (QM 8.6–8.7)
▢ Use media that works across devices
▢ Link to vendor accessibility statements
Download a PDF of the Accessibility Checklist.
💬 You’ve Got This (and You’ve Got Us)
Accessibility is about equity and it starts with design. Every small change you make opens the door wider for more students to thrive.
📩 Reach out for support: id@daemen.edu
🌐 Visit: Instructional Design Website
You don’t have to be an expert to make your course more accessible. You just need a plan and support. You’ve got both!
Let’s make every course for every learner.
Interested in more articles about course design? Check out the Instructional Design Tips page.