Following Purdue’s selection of Simple Syllabus as its system‑wide syllabus management tool, the University is conducting a phased implementation with a full launch for Fall 2026 courses, when all syllabi will be posted by instructors using the new tool. The implementation emphasizes instructor input, flexibility, and support as all Purdue campuses transition to a shared platform for creating, managing, and sharing course syllabi. Simple Syllabus will be integrated directly…
Purdue begins phased implementation of Simple Syllabus in Brightspace
Following Purdue’s selection of Simple Syllabus as its system‑wide syllabus management tool, the University is conducting a phased implementation with a full launch for Fall 2026 courses, when all syllabi will be posted by instructors using the new tool. The implementation emphasizes instructor input, flexibility, and support as all Purdue campuses transition to a shared platform for creating, managing, and sharing course syllabi.
Simple Syllabus will be integrated directly within the Brightspace learning management system and is intended to support instructors by streamlining syllabus creation and updates while preserving their control over course content, structure, and tone. The platform will help reduce duplicated effort related to institutional information and student- versus public-facing viewing. It also offers flexibility in design while providing a built-in accessibility checker.
Internal development and/or review processes for syllabi will not be affected by the implementation this summer, which will proceed in stages to allow time for feedback, training, and refinement. (Summer Session instructors in West Lafayette and Indianapolis will continue to post their public-facing versions to Course Insights).
May 2026: Technical integration of Simple Syllabus with Brightspace and development of training materials.
June 2026: Pilot of Purdue “sandbox” and training.
July 2026: Refinement of training materials and instructor support resources from the pilot. For West Lafayette and Indianapolis courses, Course Insights will move to read-only on July 24.
August 2026: Full launch for Fall 2026 courses, with ongoing support available to instructors. All public-facing syllabi components required by Indiana HEA 1001 will need to be posted using Simple Syllabus. The same document, but with additional student-facing information provided by the instructor, is shared with students via Brightspace.
Throughout the rollout, Purdue will offer training, documentation, and campus-based support.
For technical questions, contact Purdue University Information Technology. For questions about the Simple Syllabus implementation on your campus, contact:
Following the recent announcement of Purdue’s selected digital accessibility remediation tool, YuJa Panorama, several workshops will be available for all instructors at all Purdue campuses starting May 26. This milestone marks an important step forward in supporting instructors as they work to ensure course materials meet evolving ADA digital accessibility requirements. YuJa Panorama, integrated directly within Brightspace, is designed to…
Accessibility remediation tool Yuja Panorama in Brightspace: join an upcoming workshop
Following the recent announcement of Purdue’s selected digital accessibility remediation tool, YuJa Panorama, several workshops will be available for all instructors at all Purdue campuses starting May 26. This milestone marks an important step forward in supporting instructors as they work to ensure course materials meet evolving ADA digital accessibility requirements.
YuJa Panorama, integrated directly within Brightspace, is designed to help instructors identify and address accessibility issues in course content more efficiently, supporting the creation of accessible learning experiences for all students.
To help get started, all instructors are invited to attend one of several upcoming workshops. These sessions offer a practical introduction to YuJa Panorama, demonstrate how to interpret accessibility reports within the tool, and highlight workflows and strategies for prioritizing and remediating your course content.
Each session will cover the same material, so please select the time that best fits your schedule. The training will be recorded and available on the YuJa support website afterward. If you are not teaching a course this semester, there will be future workshops in the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
Questions about YuJa Panorama may be emailed to innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu.
As part of Purdue University’s system-wide initiative to support instructors as they transition their course materials in alignment with the new digital accessibility standards issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Purdue has selected YuJa Panorama as the centrally supported digital accessibility remediation tool. When deployed, Yuja Panorama will have remediation capabilities to support…
Digital accessibility remediation tool selected for ADA support
As part of Purdue University’s system-wide initiative to support instructors as they transition their course materials in alignment with the new digital accessibility standardsissued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Purdue has selected YuJa Panorama as the centrally supported digital accessibility remediation tool.
When deployed, Yuja Panorama will have remediation capabilities to support instructors with the ability to:
Scan instructional materials within Brightspace to identify potential digital accessibility issues.
Allow remediation of course content without leaving the Brightspace environment.
Provide clear, actionable feedback on common concerns such as document structure, color contrast, and alternative text.
The tool was selected after Purdue conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a digital content remediation tool to integrate into Brightspace and assist instructors in identifying and addressing accessibility issues in instructional materials.
A cross-campus project team representing Purdue system institutions reviewed the tools and evaluated them based on defined instructional use cases, technical considerations and feedback submitted by faculty, instructors and staff. This collaborative approach ensured that perspectives from across Purdue’s diverse teaching environments were incorporated into the final decision-making process.
Additional information, including timelines, training opportunities, and guidance for instructors, will be shared in the coming weeks. There is no immediate action required from faculty at this time. Visit theYuJa Panorama webpage for the most current information.
For further questions and support at your campus, contact:
Purdue University remains committed to ensuring that instructional materials and digital content are accessible to every student. On April 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) extended the compliance deadlines by one year for the ADA Title II rule requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible under…
DOJ extends ADA Title II digital accessibility deadlines—what instructors should do now
Purdue University remains committed to ensuring that instructional materials and digital content are accessible to every student. On April 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) extended the compliance deadlines by one year for the ADA Title II rule requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible under WCAG 2.1 AA. Large covered public entities (like Purdue) must comply by the updated deadline of April 26, 2027.
The Department determined that many state and local governments – including higher education institutions and school districts – lack the staffing, resources, or technological capacity to meet the original deadline (April 24, 2026) without risking rushed or low-quality implementation and increased litigation exposure.
By extending the deadline to April 26, 2027, the DOJ aims to give institutions sufficient time to plan and implement accessibility measures thoughtfully and sustainably, ultimately supporting better access for people with disabilities rather than compliance driven primarily by legal risk.
What this means for instructors
Continue updating course content. Even with the DOJ extension, accessibility work takes time, especially for documents, videos, images, and specialized content like math.
Prioritize high-use materials. Start with what students must use this term (syllabus, core readings, key slides, major assignments, recurring media).
Use existing supports. Keep using the ADA Readiness resources, checklists, training, and support services already available to help you make steady progress.
The remediation tool is coming. A centrally supported remediation tool will be provided to assist with identifying and addressing common accessibility issues; more details and timelines will be shared as soon as the tool is ready for use.
Bottom line: The federal compliance timeline has moved, but the law will remain the same: faculty are required to provide accessible instructional materials to support student success and inclusive learning. Please continue to follow ADA Title II guidelines in creating new materials, work to remediate course content where needed, and watch for updates as Purdue rolls out the remediation tool and further guidance leading up to April 26, 2027.
For further questions and support at your campus, contact:
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…
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.
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:
Are you interested in new ideas to engage students in your class? The Center for Instructional Excellence (CIE) invites you to join us for an afternoon of game-based learning on Fri., April 24, 2-4 p.m. in LYLE 1160. Hear from Purdue instructors who will share practical, game‑based strategies to boost…
Join CIE for an Instructional Innovation Showcase: Engagement Using Games
Are you interested in new ideas to engage students in your class? The Center for Instructional Excellence (CIE) invites you to join us for an afternoon of game-based learning on Fri., April 24, 2-4 p.m. in LYLE 1160. Hear from Purdue instructors who will share practical, game‑based strategies to boost student engagement. After the presentations, you may join a Q&A and networking session with presenters and CIE staff.
This event is open to all Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue in Indianapolis, and Purdue Polytechnic Statewide faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and staff. Complete this registration. Download and share this PDF flyer.
CIE is a member of Innovative Learning, Purdue’s hub approach to connect instructors in Indianapolis and West Lafayette to the resources they need to engage students, develop courses in any instructional modality, and enhance learning across the University. Other members include Libraries and the School of Information Studies and Purdue University Online. To learn more, visit www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning or email InnovativeLearningTeam@purdue.edu.
