This is a self-paced course. However, it may be helpful to pace your work in weeks. We have designed this course to be completed in about 3 hours a week for 6 weeks. You are free to move as fast or slow as you like and complete only those portions that you want.

Week 1 - Why Accessibility Matters

In this first week, you will explore how students with disabilities often face barriers to academic access, success, and completion. You will learn about the various reasons why accessible design is important and understand why there is increased attention on this critical issue in higher education. In this week, you will develop a deeper and broader understanding of some of the barriers to success that your current and potential students might be facing.

Week 2 - Integrating Faculty and Staff Roles

In Week 2, you will learn how you can help reduce barriers faced by students with disabilities. You will learn the difference between proactive course design and making accommodations. You will also analyze what individual and group efforts are necessary to create barrier-free learning environments given the complexity of and overlap between faculty and staff roles.

Week 3 - A Blueprint for Equal Learning Opportunities

In Week 3, you will be introduced to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will engage in topics such as Universal Design as used in architecture, as well as Universal Design for Learning, which includes the Affective, Recognition, and Strategic Learning Networks. Participating in this module will help you design a learning environment that is flexible and allows for equal learning opportunities.

Week 4 - Taking Action to Provide Equal Learning Opportunities

In this week, you will explore how Universal Design for Learning is implemented in real-life scenarios relevant to your learning environments. You will also be introduced to Backward Design and examine how it fits into the bigger picture of Universal Design for Learning and accessibility. This module will allow you to reflect on how you can use these principles and methods to provide equal learning opportunities to your learners.

Week 5 - Methods for Compliant Content Creation

During Week 5, you will learn about the most commonly used methods for creating compliant learning content. These methods are based on the Section 508 standards and the WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines.

Week 6 - Content Creation Tools and Assistive Technology

During this week, you will identify and apply the appropriate tools and techniques for creating and evaluating learning content. Utilizing step-by-step guides, you will learn to create content while maintaining compliance with the standards and guidelines discussed in week 5.