Instructors: Make your 30-day ADA readiness plan

The April 24, 2026, federal ADA digital instructional materials compliance deadline is fast approaching. As instructors across the Purdue system prepare their courses, many are asking the same practical questions: 

  • Where do I start? 
  • What actually needs to be done by April 24?
  • How do I prioritize if I’m short on time?

The good news: you do not need to tackle everything at once. Purdue has designed its ADA support resources to help instructors make steady, realistic progress—and support will continue beyond the federal deadline. Following is a 30‑day ADA readiness plan, paired with answers to the most common questions instructors are asking right now. See the Innovative Learning Instructional Material ADA Readiness webpage for these resources.

Week 1: Identify and prioritize

Goal: Know what matters most. 

What to do: Review the materials students will use this term. Focus first on required instructional materials, not everything you’ve ever uploaded.

  • Syllabi 
  • Core readings 
  • Lecture slides
  • Videos and images used in Brightspace 

Support available

Question we’re hearing: Do I need to fix everything in my course all at once?
Answer: Start with the materials students actively need to complete the course first and then move to documents less seen. Prioritization is expected and supported. 

Week 2: Documents and Brightspace content

Goal: Address the most common accessibility issues in your course materials. 

What to do: See dropdown menus on the Digital Instructional Materials – Accessibility Checklist for specific help on how to: 

  • Improve document structure (headings, lists, readable tables). 
  • Check color contrast and font readability. 
  • Use each software’s accessibility checker. 
  • Replace scanned PDFs with accessible versions when possible. 

Support available 

  • Complete the self‑paced Brightspace ADA Accessibility course. 
  • Attend the ADA Title II Drop‑In Sessions for real‑time help with specific materials. 

Question we’re hearing: What if I didn’t create the content? 
Answer: Instructors are responsible for ensuring the accessibility of materials they assign or use in their courses, even if they didn’t originally create them. Support teams can help you decide the next steps for each resource. 

Week 3: Media, images, and math content

Goal: Improve accessibility for non‑text materials. 

What to do: See dropdown menus on the Digital Instructional Materials – Accessibility Checklist for specific help with: 

  • Reviewing videos to ensure caption accuracy. 
  • Adding alternative text to all images, charts, and tables. 
  • Reviewing math or STEM content for screen‑reader accessibility. 
  • Using centrally supported or approved tools where available. 

Support & reminders 

  • Focus on clarity and usability by providing multiple formats where possible.  
  • Watch this workshop recording for an overview and specific recommendations for accessibility.  

Question we’re hearing: What about specialized content like math or diagrams? 
Answer: Discipline‑specific strategies and examples are available and drop‑ins are a great place to get targeted guidance. The Purdue Department of Mathematics also offers suggestions for handwritten math text and diagrams. 

Week 4: Final checks and support

Goal: Confirm readiness and reduce uncertainty about your prioritized materials. 

What to do 

  • Attend drop‑in sessions for quick questions. 

Question we’re hearing: How will I know if I’m ‘done’? 
Answer: By April 24, instructors should be able to demonstrate progress in digital accessibility for current instructional materials and know where to get help when questions arise. 

What happens after April 24? 

Another common concern we’re hearing is about what comes next. 

Here’s what instructors can expect: 

  • ADA support services will continue after April 24. 
  • Resources, workshops, and guidance will be updated as new needs emerge. 
  • Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one‑time event. 

If you haven’t started yet—or feel behind—you are not alone. The most important step right now is to start where you are, use the resources available, and reach out for support when you need it. Every step you take improves access for students and moves you closer to April 24 readiness. 

Purdue has built a systemwide support network to help instructors succeed. For further questions and support at your campus, contact: 

Purdue West Lafayette and Indianapolis: Innovative Learning, InnovativeLearningTeam@purdue.edu 

Purdue Fort Wayne:  

  • For questions about this Purdue system project: Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, celt@pfw.edu 
  • For compliance questions about the regulation: Contact the Office for Civil Rights Compliance at civilrights@pfw.edu  

Purdue Northwest:  

  • For questions: Center for the Faculty Excellence, cfe@pnw.edu  

Purdue Global: Center for Teaching and Learning, askctl@purdueglobal.edu