General Accessibility Questions
Q: What is digital accessibility?
A: Digital accessibility refers to the intentional design of electronic technologies and materials so that they are usable by all people, including people with disabilities.
Q: Why is this required now?
A: Federal regulations require that all course materials comply with
WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards by April 2026. This ensures equal access to learning for students with disabilities.
Q: Who is responsible for ensuring digital accessibility at USM?
A: Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility. All content creators—including faculty, staff, and administrators—are responsible for ensuring their materials are accessible.
Faculty-Specific Questions
Q: Do I need to make all my course materials accessible, even if I don't have students with disabilities?
A: Yes. Creating accessible materials from the start follows universal design principles that benefit all students. Additionally, you may have students with undisclosed disabilities or temporary impairments, and proactive accessibility ensures everyone can access your content without delays.
Q: Does this mean I have to redesign my whole course?
A: No. You don't have to start over. Begin by making your most-used documents and LMS content accessible. Focus on small steps—like using heading styles, adding alt text to images, and checking for color contrast.
Q: What should I prioritize first?
Q: What tools can help me check my materials?
A: Use the built-in accessibility checker in Word, PowerPoint, and your LMS. You can also use Ally or Panorama if available at your campus.
Q: Is help available?
A: Yes! Instructional designers and accessibility staff on your campus are ready to assist. You can also join USM's monthly sprint sessions or check the USM Digital Accessibility Newsletter for tips and training opportunities.
Q: What if I use publisher or third-party content?
A: You're still responsible for ensuring it's accessible. If it's not, try to find an alternative or contact the vendor to request an accessible version.
Q: Will this affect my academic freedom?
A: No. You retain full control over your content. Accessibility is about ensuring all students can access and understand that content.
Q: Will this be part of my evaluation?
A: It could be. Some departments are recognizing accessibility work as part of effective teaching in annual reviews or awards.
Q: How do I make my PowerPoint presentations accessible?
A: Use built-in slide layouts, add alt text to images, ensure sufficient color contrast, use simple tables with headers, check reading order, and use the accessibility checker. Also provide your slides to students in advance when possible.
Q: What should I do about videos I want to use in my courses?
A: Ensure all videos have accurate closed captions. For content that is primarily visual, you should provide audio descriptions.
Q: A student has requested an accommodation. What's my responsibility?
A: Work with your campus accessibility and disability services office to implement approved accommodations. Provide materials in accessible formats promptly and maintain confidentiality about the student's disability status.
Staff-Specific Questions
Q: How do I ensure our department website is accessible?
A: Reach out to your IT office for support and to stay connected to campus-wide web accessibility efforts. Websites should follow WCAG 2.2 AA standards, be regularly tested with automated tools like WAVE or Siteimprove and be put through periodic manual checks with keyboard navigation and screen readers.
Q: What accessibility considerations should I keep in mind when planning events?
A: Ensure digital promotional materials and registration forms are accessible, provide options for accommodation requests, choose accessible venues, and consider providing sign language interpreters, captioning, or other accommodations as needed.
Q: How do I make our social media posts accessible?
A: Add alt text to images, use camel case for hashtags (#DigitalAccessibility), limit emoji use, provide image descriptions, caption videos, and avoid posting text as images without alternative text.
Technical Questions
Q: What tools does USM provide to help create accessible content?
A: USM campuses provide licenses for specific tools like Blackboard Ally, Siteimprove, etc., accessibility checkers in Microsoft Office, and others. Check with your campus center for teaching and learning to determine which tools are available to you and to find resources on their use.
Q: How do I check if my content is accessible?
A: Use built-in accessibility checkers in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and other tools. For websites, use automated tools like WAVE, Siteimprove, or Axe. Remember that automated checks catch only about 30% of issues, so manual testing is also important.
Q: What do I do if I inherit or need to use inaccessible content?
A: First, check if accessible alternatives already exist. If not, prioritize remediating the most critical content, and develop a plan for addressing the rest. Contact the USM Accessibility Office for guidance on remediation services and priorities.
Support and Resources
Q: Where can I get help with making my content accessible?
A: The USM Digital Accessibility Hub offers guides, templates, and tools. You can also contact your campus accessibility coordinator or center for teaching and learning. Regular workshops and training sessions are offered through April 2026.
Q: What should I do if I discover inaccessible content on USM websites?
Q: I have a question that isn't answered here. What should I do?
A: Email the USM Kirwan Center staff at
cai@usmd.edu to ask your question and we will add the question and answer to this FAQ!
