These five actions can significantly improve the accessibility of your course content—making it more inclusive, usable, and legally compliant under the Title II Digital Accessibility requirements (April 2026 deadline). 

1. Use Proper Headings in Documents and LMS Content

Apply built-in heading styles (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2) in Word, PowerPoint, and LMS editors. Do not use bold or large font alone to indicate structure—this helps screen reader users navigate. 

2. Add Alternative Text to All Images

Use concise, descriptive alt text for all meaningful images. For decorative images, mark them as decorative. This ensures students using screen readers can understand visual content. 

3. Use Descriptive Hyperlinks

Write link text that clearly describes the destination (e.g., 'USM Accessibility Checklist' not 'click here'). This improves clarity for all users, especially those using assistive technology. 

4. Run the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Office Tools

Before sharing Word, PowerPoint, or Excel files, use the built-in 'Check Accessibility' tool under the Review tab. Fix flagged issues to improve usability for all students. 

5. Avoid Using PDFs Unless They Are Fully Accessible

PDFs can be difficult to remediate. Use Word or HTML formats when possible. If you must use a PDF, ensure it has proper tags, reading order, and passes accessibility checks. 

By starting with these five actions, you'll create a more inclusive environment and reduce the need for individual accommodations. Need help? Reach out to your institution’s instructional design or accessibility team.