• Takes into account a variety of student characteristics, including ethnicity, race, abilities, disabilities, age, gender, language abilities and preferred learning style.
• Does not compromise academic rigour.
• Is a proactive and inclusive way of teaching and designing courses and curricula.
• Removes barriers to learning before they can affect anyone.
• Reduces the need for specialized accommodations.
• Identifies and clearly expresses the essential course content, while recognizing that students can express understanding of essential course content in multiple ways.
• Is consistent with universally recognized principles of good teaching^iv.

Duty to accommodate students with disabilities in post-secondary educational institutions

1. Textbooks and course readers

• Did I submit my textbook adoption request to the Bookstore before the deadlines? See your institutions policy on timely adoption of textbooks.  Sample policies: San Francisco State University, Sacramento State University, San José State University, California State University, Stanislaus (pdf)
• Did I submit my set of course reader materials in a clean, readable format to the Bookstore for copying?

1. Syllabi and Handouts

• Did I create my syllabus in an accessible format?
• Did I use appropriate formatting so that students using assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software, can effectively access the information?
• Do my Word documents pass the grade according to the Word Accessibility Tips and Guidelines?
• How to Create an Accessible Word document: Guides, Tutorials, Tools, Resources & Best Practices
• Do my PDF documents pass the grade according to the PDF Accessibility Checklist ?
• How to Create an Accessible PDF document
• Did I include the Disability Statement in my syllabus as worded in the Academic Senate's Syllabus Disability Statement Policy?

1. Electronic Reserve

• Did I submit my course reserve materials in a clean, readable format to the Library?

1. PowerPoint

• Do my PowerPoint documents pass the grade according to the PowerPoint Accessibility Checklist?
• MS PowerPoint Accessibility: Video Tutorials
• How to Create an Accessible PowerPoint document

1. VHS/DVD

• Are the video presentations (DVDs, video tapes, video podcasts, other video formats) available with captioning?
• If not, is a transcript of the video presentation available?
• If not, do I have a plan so that all students can have equitable access to the information?
• Identifying Captioning Needs
• Sample Caption Request Form

1. Internet Resources

• Are the Internet resources (e.g. websites, blogs, wikis, etc) that I plan to use in class accessible for students? One way to check is by using the manual web assessment procedure.
• If the Internet resources are not accessible, do I have a plan to make these resources available in an alternative format so that all students can have access to the same information?
• Contact the ACCESS Support Team to discuss strategies.
• Captioning Web Videos Process (AutoSync, QT steps)

1. Course Streaming/Podcasting

• Are the audio presentations (CDs, audio podcasts, audio clips, other audio formats) available with a transcript?
• If not, do I have a plan to make these audio presentations available in an alternative format so that all students have access to the same information?
• Additional accessibility considerations are available on the Academic Technology website

1. Use of Learning Management System (LMS)

• Is my campus LMS accessible?
• Do the instructional materials in my course meet the Course Accessibility Checklist recommendations (all items above, as relevant)?
• Does my LMS course layout use the guidelines listed on the iLearn Accessibility page?
• Do I use clear naming conventions throughout my LMS course as recommended on the iLearn Accessibility page?
• If students are required to participate in peer editing activities, are the files they are sharing with one another accessible?
• Do I have a training plan or self-help resources for them if necessary?
• If a student requires extended time to take a quiz or needs a quiz in another format, do I have a plan to make these accommodations?

• Tanaguru Contrast-Finder
• Contrast-Ratio Tool
• Paciello Colour Contrast Anaylser
• Web AIM Color Contrast Checker