Many students require their course materials (readings, assignments, Canvas, etc.) to be accessible. Accessible course materials can mean different things for different students, but generally speaking, accessible materials are materials that allow students of all abilities to effectively acquire and engage with the same information.

When approved for this specific accommodation, SAS will work with the student to determine what the student requires, and work with the instructor to help ensure materials are accessible. Often this involves helping convert materials to an accessible format (accessible digital copies, large print, braille), but specific steps may vary based on the individual student need.

Please note that this may also include accessible textbooks. Please see the page: Accessible Textbooks/Books and Long-Readings for more information about processes related to these types of materials.

Key Things to Know

Early identification of required materials and alternate format requests are important in order to ensure timely receipt of materials.
If a student requires accessible instruction materials, it should be assumed that these materials/formats will also be available for exams, quizzes, and assignments.
The process for accessible textbooks can be found at: Accessible Textbooks/Books and Long-Readings
Students may also use Assistive Technology (AT) to assist in accessing materials. If students are approved for use of AT, this will be indicated on the student's accommodation letter.
Instructors that require support in creating accessible materials can contact SAS for assistance.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

Meeting all general accommodation responsibilities as outlined as outlined on the SAS Website.
Meeting with the SAS AT Specialist to discuss their specific needs
Sharing their course schedule and any schedule changes with SAS as soon as possible
Searching for accessible copies of textbooks to purchase.
When assistance is needed in finding an accessible book,
- Signing the SAS Alt-Format Agreement.
- Notifying SAS through the Alt-Format Request Form.
- Providing proof of purchase of the material.
Communicating with the instructor about their need for accessible materials.
Sharing any concerns with SAS as soon as possible.

Accessible Educational Materials Process

SAS notifies the instructor about the need for accessible educational materials - The student is still responsible for sending their accommodation letter. However, because of the sometimes longer timelines associated with creating accessible content, SAS often reaches out in advance. Initial notification includes the following steps for instructors:
1. Check your current course documents see if they are accessible. Here are some key things to look for:
  1. Are scanned documents clear and legible (text is straight, no dark areas in the text, all text is legible, etc.)?
  2. If there are materials like papers or journal articles, are there permalinks to the document source (the links to the journal article source page which often contain an accessible version)?
  3. When reviewing materials, is the text in the document editable (can you cut, copy, and paste from the text?)
2. Convert inaccessible materials. If you do identify any materials that might need to be converted, please notify SAS as soon as possible to ensure the documents can be made accessible. This process can take time depending on the type of material, length of the material, and what needs to be done to it.
Student sends their accommodation letter and meets with the instructor - As with other accommodations, it is important the student and instructor meet to discuss the accommodation and how to best meet the needs within the context of the course.
Instructor ensures materials are accessible throughout the course - Accessibility should be considered proactively as well as throughout the course. If assistance is required, instructors should contact SAS directly.

Implementation Recommendations

As an instructor implementing this accommodation, we recommend that you...

Talk with the student about their need for accessible audio information. Questions can include, but are not limited to:
- Do you require accessible educational materials for in-class materials and the materials shared outside of class?
- What types of supports do you require on quizzes and exams?
- What types of supports help you to best access your materials?
- Are there certain types of content for which you do not require accommodations?
- Do you use any specific devices or software to assist in accessing materials?
Review your course to identify any educational materials that are used or may be used.
If using third party materials or platforms, ensure these platforms are accessible prior to purchase/adoption
Ensure any scanned materials are clear and legible (text is straight, no dark areas in the text, all text is legible, etc.).
Check for accessibility prior to posting materials during the course.
If support is needed from SAS related to creating accessible audio content, contact SAS as soon as possible. Depending on the complexity of the content, creating accessible content can take upwards of one week, so being proactive and timely is critical.

Common Questions

Are all digital materials accessible?

No. There is a common misconception that digital materials = accessible materials. While there are often many more accessibility options available within digital environments, materials must be specifically created in accessible ways to be access. For instance, a word document has the potential to be very accessible, but when created without things like headings and alternative text can be inaccessible to some students.