Supporting Students in Creating Accessible Content

Students increasingly engage in digital content creation as part of class assignments, student organizations, or support roles (such as TAs or graders). While students may not be expected to fully master digital accessibility, faculty play a critical role in guiding and modeling inclusive practices.

Use the following guidance to help students meet accessibility expectations in course and co-curricular contexts.

Let students know that accessibility is part of good communication — not just a technical requirement.

  • Include a brief statement in your syllabus or assignment prompt about considering accessibility for digital projects and shared media.

  • If possible, share the UMBC’s Student Accessibility Resources page and offer links to basic accessibility guides (e.g., alt text, captions, clear formatting).

Offer simple checklists, templates, or class discussions to reinforce these concepts:

For Slides and Presentations:

  • Use high color contrast and legible fonts

  • Add alt text to images

  • Ensure headings and reading order are clear

  • Provide the slides in advance if used for a class presentation

For Videos:

  • Use clear audio and captions

  • Add a brief description of visual content when appropriate

  • Ensure text on-screen has sufficient contrast

For Social Media, Flyers, and Graphics:

  • Avoid text-heavy images — use real text in the post/caption when possible

  • Add alt text or image descriptions to social posts (especially Twitter/X, Instagram)

  • Use accessibility-friendly templates and check color contrast

For PDFs, Documents, and Infographics:

  • Use accessible document tools (Google Docs, Word, PowerPoint)

  • Add alt text, heading styles, and avoid scanned image-only PDFs

  • Share a link to the original editable version whenever possible

For TA/Grader Communications:

  • Write clear, concise announcements using plain language

  • Avoid using color alone to convey meaning (e.g., red for overdue)

  • Ensure any attached documents or shared links meet basic accessibility needs

Students can improve accessibility using tools they already know:

  • Microsoft Office: Students can use accessibility checkers.

  • Ally: Students can download alternative formats of course materials

  • Blackboard: Students can add descriptions to images they upload
  • Video capture: Students can ensure videos have accurate captions, or provide transcripts to peers

  • Show examples of accessible slides, documents, or media

  • Use accessible templates for class or organization communication

  • Mention accessibility as part of grading criteria or evaluation (where appropriate)

Not every student project will be fully accessible, but encouraging awareness and effort is key. A simple reminder to use alt text, share readable slides, or caption a video helps build inclusive habits for future work, in and beyond the classroom.