Accessible Starts: Designing a Syllabus with Digital Accessibility in Mind

June 27, 2025
Accessibility, Course & Learning Design, EdTech IDEAS Digest - Best Practices and Tools
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What the Text is About

An organized and well-formatted syllabus clearly communicates what your students need to know. UMass student surveys reveal that learners value well-organized syllabi and course materials, and this organization benefits all students, especially those with disabilities. We share how to make your syllabus ADA accessible with templates, structured text, color, images, and more.

Introduction

Clear, consistent organization is a top feature students want in their courses, according to the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Midterm Assessment Process (MAP) Program. The syllabus, as the first point of contact between a student and their course, is an important opportunity to establish what students will learn and how they will navigate the course. We will show you how to organize course information by using a shared template and applying accessibility measures to ensure all students can succeed from the very first class. 

Erica Foley

Erica Foley

Instructional Designer, Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS), UMass Amherst

  • In her role as Instructional Designer, Erica supports faculty and staff to improve accessibility, instruction, and assessment.
  • Erica has worked in K-12, universities, and instructor training and development for more than 12 years.
  • Erica’s work centers on supporting educators and students through accessibility, project-based learning, and technology integration.

Understanding Digital Accessibility

Just like an automatic door into your building, digital accessibility opens education to all students regardless of ability or disability. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act will soon require all digital and web content to include accessibility practices, but beyond legal requirements, these accessibility measures improve clarity and navigation, which benefits everyone. Accessibility practices can be a recipe for building a syllabus that allows students to jump right into their learning. 

Core Accessibility Practices for Syllabus Design

Use a Template

This syllabus template from the Faculty Senate includes the accessibility measures we describe below. Use this template as a starting point for your accessible syllabus.

File Format Matters

Use Word documents or Google Docs—embedded or linked in Canvas. These are preferred over PDFs because they are easier to navigate, allow users to copy and paste, search within, and highlight, and are often more compatible with screen readers.

Structure Content with Headings and Lists

Utilize built-in heading structure, instead of bold or font size alone. You can still change the formatting to fit your visual needs, but built-in headings help students quickly navigate the document and find what they need.

 DoDon’t
In Word
Selecting a heading tag from the Styles menu in Microsoft Word
Using the Normal text style, but making the text bold, to make a fake and non-accessible heading in Word.
In Google Docs
Selecting a heading style from the style dropdown in Google Docs
Just making "normal text" style text large and bold to be a fake, non-accessible heading in Google Docs

 

Use Clear, Consistent Layouts

  • Use a logical order of sections in your syllabus and intuitive naming convention for assignments, and ensure these match Canvas so students can find what they need.
  • Try to avoid clutter and excessive formatting. Although you are conveying complex information, use a simple format.

Accessible Tables

If you use tables in your syllabus (such as for a calendar), keep them simple and labeled. Label header rows and avoid merged cells or nested tables.

Readable Fonts and Contrast

  • Use sans-serif fonts, minimum 12pt, like Arial or Open Sans.
  • Ensure sufficient color contrast for readability. 
DoDon't

Required Readings

Required Readings

 

Alt Text and Descriptive Links

Add concise, descriptive alt text to any images

DoDon't
Adding descriptive alt text in Google docs. In this example, the image is described as UMass Old Chapel and W.E.B. Du Bois library.
Adding alt text in Google docs. In this example, the image is still a picture of the Old Chapel and the Library, but the description the user has entered is just the non-descriptive name of the file - bunch of numbers dot jpeg

 

Avoid "click here" links; use descriptive text (e.g., “Course Schedule PDF”)

DoDon't
Example of a descriptive link - the text is UMass Libraries Search and it goes to library dot umass dot edu
Example of a non-descriptive link - the text is just "click here" and it goes to library dot umass dot edu. The link is included in a sentence "Click here to search the library" - but a screen reader user tabbing through links may only hear the "click here" part, and thus have a harder time understanding what the link is.

Tools and Resources for Creating Accessible Syllabi

Conclusion

  • Designing an accessible syllabus isn’t just about compliance—it’s about setting all students up for success from day one. When your syllabus is organized, readable, and inclusive, you reduce confusion, support diverse learning needs, and create a more welcoming classroom experience.
  • Take one step this week from the checklist below—even a small change like adding proper headings or descriptive links can make a big difference. 

Take Action checklist: