Accessibility Best Practices in Simple Syllabus

accessibility faculty Brightspace syllabus ada Simple-Syllabus accessibility-checker

Introduction

Creating an accessible syllabus helps ensure all students can access course information regardless of ability or assistive technology used. This article outlines accessibility features available in Simple Syllabus and provides best practices for creating content that supports accessibility standards and inclusive learning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Accessibility Best Practices

Creating an accessible syllabus ensures all students can access important course information.

Best Practices

Use heading styles.
Write meaningful hyperlink text.
Add alternative text for images.
Avoid using color alone to convey meaning.
Use tables only for tabular information.

Accessibility Checklist

Heading structure
Descriptive links
Alternative text
Sufficient color contrast
Plain language

Maintaining an Accessible Syllabus

Using Simple Syllabus Accessibility Features

Built-in Checker: Run the automated evaluation tool inside the publisher interface. It flags structural errors (like missing table headers or contrast issues) before you can submit or publish.

Component-Based Structure: Break information into preformatted sections rather than uploading a single long, inaccessible PDF.

Clean Formatting: Use the rich-text editor's native heading tags (Heading 2, Heading 3) sequentially rather than manually resizing text with bolding or random font sizes.

Best Practices for Content Accessibility

Alt Text for Media: Add descriptive alternative text to any inserted images, icons, or banners so screen readers can interpret visuals for visually impaired students.