Topics Map > Services > Accessibility and Universal Design
Topics Map > Services > Teaching, Learning and Classrooms > Assistive Technology

Digital Accessibility

Below is an overview of what accessibility means and the resources available.

Overview

The National Center on Accessible Educations Materials shares that “Accessibility is shaped by what we do, our interactions with the environment, and our personal preference.” North Dakota State University is committed to ensuring that our campus is inclusive and accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and community.  

Accessibility is a fundamental part of the Universal Design for Learning framework which focuses on removing learning barriers, improves, and optimizes teaching and learning for all people. Accessibility in higher education ensures that all persons, including those with significant disabilities, are provided equitable access to digital content and opportunities to receive effective educational services, with the needed support services. 

Help, consultation, training

IT Service Center

Intended Audience

  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students

Using this solution

Availability

24/7/365 [*Standard outages]

Cost

University-funded: no charge.

Requirements

Must be a campus-supported product

Getting Started

Getting started with accessibility begins with understanding that accessibility is shaped by our actions, interactions, and personal preferences, as highlighted by the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials. To begin creating accessible materials:   

  1. Start Simple: Use clear fonts, and high-contrast colors, and avoid cluttered designs.  
  2. Use Built-In Accessibility Tools: Leverage tools like alt text for images, headings for structure, and captioning for videos.  
  3. Test for Accessibility: Use online checkers to ensure your materials meet accessibility standards.  
  4. Engage Everyone: Encourage feedback from diverse users to identify barriers. 

Best Practices

  • Creating accessible digital content ensures it is available and usable by all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. To achieve this think about accessibility before, during, and ending your creation of all digital content. Review and fix accessibility issues before sharing the content with others. 
  • Begin by providing headings in documents, alternative text for images, descriptive links for URLs, formatting tables, including captions for videos, providing transcripts for audio, reviewing color contrast and much more. 

Learn More/How To's

FAQs

Use Cases

  • Designing and developing digital course content  
  • Creating departmental documents and resources 
  • Ensuring closed captioning is available and text transcripts for virtual meeting attendees 

Universal Design/Accessibility

  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and digital accessibility both seek to increase access to educational digital content and reduce barriers for students and everyone. Using UDL guidelines and introducing inclusive teaching strategies in your courses sends a welcoming message that all are included. 
    • CAST – Universal Design for Leaning resources 
    • UDL Guidelines – Guidelines 3.0 tool to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people 

Related resources


Keywords:
accessibility, universal design for learning, udl, teaching strategies, instructional design, ally, Anthology Ally 
Doc ID:
119200
Owned by:
Sharley K. in NDSU IT Knowledge Base
Created:
2022-06-22
Updated:
2025-01-28
Sites:
NDSU IT Knowledge Base