Creating Courses with Accessibility in Mind

Whether creating an on-campus, online, or hybrid course, here is a collection of resources which provide faculty with information and tools for developing course content which is accessible to all students.

Creating Accessible Course Content

Resources and tools for creating accessible content.

Designing an Accessible Online Course
To help with consideration of inclusive design and accommodations, Explore Access has helpful information on designing an accessible online course.

The UDL Guidelines
CAST created the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines as a tool for aiding in the implementation of UDL, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. They also created an on-demand webinar resource specific for Bringing Equity and Inclusion to Remote Learning with UDL.

Creating Accessible Documents
Resources and tutorials on creating accessible Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents.

Audio Transcription with Zoom
Course instruction presented via Zoom can be recorded and transcribed as part of your Wesleyan provided Zoom account.

Assistive Technology Resources

These are available for all Wesleyan users; if you have questions, please reach out to Accessibility Services.

Assistive Technology
A list of assistive technology resources available to all Wesleyan users.

SensusAccess
SensusAccess is a web application that converts documents from text or image-based files into accessible formats, such as searchable PDFs, audio & talking books, Braille, or ebooks. *Free for Wesleyan users, search for “Access” in your portal for a quick link to the Library’s Accessible Materials page.

BeeLine Reader
BeeLine Reader applies gradient colors to assist with eye tracking, speed, and focus while reading digital materials. *Free for Wesleyan users, you will find the links and directions for activating three BeeLine Reader products in your WesPortal, just search for “BeeLine”.

Google Slides
Present slides with captions using Google Slides; Google provides automatic captions to display the speaker's words in real time during the presentation.

Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator can be used as a live captioning/translation tool with one “presenter” and up to 100 participants for up to 4 hours.

Otter.ai
Otter.ai allows a user to create a personal transcription of a meeting or conversation for which they are present. You can also upload an audio file for transcription.

People Who Can Help

Offices available to support faculty as they create accessible course content.

Teaching Continuity from ITS
When classes needed to move to an online format, Wesleyan’s ITS department set up a website with Teaching Continuity information.

Academic and Research Services
Faculty who have questions about using technology in their teaching or research are encouraged to contact Academic Technology by submitting a ticket at ServiceNow; Academic Technology can also assist faculty with Moodle, Echo360, WordPress, or Cascade.

Accessibility Services
Accessibility Services is always available to answer any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us.