Accessibility is a regular routine for creating course content

Accessible materials are the new normal for instructional course content—and the good news is that it doesn’t require a complete overhaul. The biggest impact on accessibility comes from small, repeatable habits you can build into your workflow. When these steps become routine, you catch issues early, avoid last‑minute fixes, and make your content easier to navigate for everyone.

Following is a simple routine you can apply every time you build content. (See Instructional Material ADA Readiness for details on each item.)

  • When you write or revise content (Word docs, Brightspace pages): Use built-in headings (don’t just bold/resize text), keep lists as true lists by using Styles, and use simple tables with a clear header row.
  • When you add links: Swap “click here” for descriptive link text so students know exactly what they’re opening.
  • When you add images, charts, or diagrams: Add alt text that explains the purpose of the visual; for a complex visual, pair it with a brief description in nearby text.
  • When you use PowerPoint/slides: Use slide layouts, ensure every slide has a unique title, and check reading order before you share them.
  • When you use video or audio: Make sure captions (video) or transcripts (audio) are available.
  • Before you publish (5-minute final check): Run the built-in accessibility checkers and tackle the highest‑impact items first.

Using past content? Build in a quick “touch-up” step 

If you’re reusing files from prior terms, make accessibility part of your course copy routine. Start with the items students need first (syllabus, core readings, key slides, major assignments), then work outward as time allows. Accessibility isn’t an all‑or‑nothing finish line—it’s steady progress that pays off every time you teach. 

Need a starting point? Keep the Digital Instructional Materials – Accessibility Checklist open as you build—it’s designed to support this “new normal” workflow. The Instructional Material ADA Readiness webpage pulls the latest guidance into one place. For step-by-step practice, the Brightspace ADA Accessibility Course – see details on the Readiness page — provides a structured pathway you can complete at your own pace. 

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.