Making course materials accessible toolkits
In support of Digital Accessibility Initiative, monthly communications toolkits will be available in AY2025-26 to help academic units communicate internally with faculty regarding the new ADA accessibility rules taking effect in April. Each includes drafts of the following:
- A cover letter to chairs, directors, or other department/program leaders
- A draft message to faculty
- A draft newsletter blurb
- A draft slide deck
Academic leadership teams can discuss whether or how best to share these resources with colleagues – who best to share information with instructors, which of the drafts to use, and whether to use them as-is, modify or replace them with unit-specific messaging.
Monthly toolkits
UW NetID required
Non-UW members can contact Digital Accessibility Initiative with questions about Toolkit content.
- September 2025: What’s expected of instructors & practicing new skills so you’re ready for Spring
- October 2025: Cleaning up your course materials & creating an accessible syllabus
- November 2025: Sourcing accessible readings & creating accessible assignments and handouts
- December 2025: Creating accessible slide decks
- January 2026: Accessibility checkers
- February 2026: Catch up advice & accessible videos
- March 2026: Inaccessible PDFs
- April 2026: Announcement of ADA rule delay
Guidance on all of these topics is also available now on Making Course Materials Accessible on the Teaching@UW website, if you need information sooner.
This work is evolving, so expect regular updates, both in these toolkits and in the way digital accessibility is supported. New information will be available as things evolve.