AccessibleU: ADA Compliance Training for Instructors

Diverse group socialize at a table while on laptops.

At UMass Amherst, we are committed to fostering equity and inclusivity in every classroom, whether physical or virtual. Our WCAG Compliance Training for Instructors, AccessibleU, provides the knowledge, tools, and resources you need to design courses that meet federal and state accessibility standards and support all students effectively.  

ENROLL NOW 
On the enrollment page, click Enroll in Course on the right.
This course is only available to UMass Amherst faculty and staff.
 

What You’ll Learn:

  • Understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) (supported by Massachusetts state law and federal ADA Title II standards) and their implications for digital course design.
  • Apply WCAG principles to create fully accessible online courses, multimedia, and documents.
  • Utilize new tools in Canvas, Microsoft, Google, PopeTech and other common sites to meet accessibility requirements.
  • Demonstrate proactive accessibility practices and continuous improvement within course design.
  • Develop a personalized plan for ongoing accessibility improvements. 

Course Features:

  • Real-world scenarios highlighting the student experience.
  • Practical lessons with checklists and action steps.
  • Interactive discussions and reflection activities.
  • Downloadable templates and resources for immediate use.

 

Who Should Take This Course?

This training is designed for instructors, instructional designers, and staff members involved in course design and delivery. Whether you teach online, hybrid, or face-to-face classes, this course is for you.


Impact on Student Success

Group of students smile while looking at laptops in a study space.

Imagine you’re teaching a first-year seminar. Among your students is Michael, who uses screen-reading software to navigate your course materials. He’s eager to succeed but finds himself stuck when required readings are uploaded as scanned PDFs, inaccessible to his assistive technology.

Now picture Sarah, a graduate student who relies on captions to follow along with video lectures. Without captions, she struggles to understand key concepts, and her grades begin to slip.

Then there’s Alex, an undergraduate student with a cognitive disability. He thrives in courses with clear navigation but falls behind in a class where headings are unclear, and the layout is inconsistent.

Each of these students has unique needs, but they share a common challenge: accessibility barriers. These scenarios highlight the real-world impact of accessible course design—not just for students with disabilities, but for every learner.


Questions? 

For more information, contact our team.