Accessibility & Universal Design for Learning in OER
Accessible OER helps ensure that all students can access, navigate, understand, and use course materials.
Openly licensed or free materials are not automatically accessible, so accessibility should be considered when selecting, adapting, or creating OER.
Quick Accessibility Check
Before adopting or publishing OER, check that:
- Headings and lists are used to organize content
- Meaningful images include alternative text
- Videos have accurate captions
- Audio includes transcripts
- Links use descriptive text
- Text has sufficient color contrast
- Color is not the only way information is communicated
- Tables are used for data and include appropriate headers
- PDFs and documents are searchable and accessible to assistive technology
- An accessibility checker has been used when available
Automated accessibility checkers can identify many common problems, but they do not replace human review.
View the ASCCC OERI Accessibility Checklist
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) encourages instructors to design courses with learner variability in mind and reduce unnecessary barriers before students encounter them.
The CAST UDL Guidelines focus on three areas:
Engagement
Provide meaningful ways for students to connect with and participate in learning.
Representation
Present important information in different ways when appropriate.
Action & Expression
Provide appropriate options for students to interact with content and demonstrate learning.
Accessibility helps students access course materials. UDL considers how the overall learning experience can provide greater flexibility and reduce barriers.
Explore the CAST UDL Guidelines 3.0
Using UDL with OER
You do not need to provide every resource in every possible format. Instead, consider where flexibility can help students meet the course learning objectives.
- Clearly communicate learning goals and expectations
- Provide captions and transcripts for multimedia
- Explain unfamiliar terminology and symbols
- Use examples, models, or demonstrations when helpful
- Break larger projects into manageable stages
- Offer meaningful choices when appropriate
- Provide different ways to demonstrate learning when the format itself is not part of the learning objective
Creating or Adapting OER?
Build accessibility into your materials from the beginning.
Use the accessibility tools built into Word, PowerPoint, Canvas, Adobe Acrobat, and other programs to check:
- Heading structure
- Reading order
- Alternative text
- Links
- Color contrast
- Tables
- Multimedia
Resources
Accessibility
- ASCCC OERI — Accessibility and Universal Design
Accessibility guidance and resources for California Community College faculty working with OER. - ASCCC OERI Accessibility Checklist
A practical checklist for evaluating and creating accessible OER. - CCC Accessibility Center
Training, tools, and guidance for creating accessible instructional materials.
Universal Design for Learning
- CAST UDL Guidelines 3.0
The current Universal Design for Learning framework. - BCC Teaching and Learning Support Center
Faculty professional development and support, including Universal Design for Learning.
