Checking Your Blind Spot
Simple Edits That Benefit Teaching and Learning
Who has been here: Sipping what’s left of your lukewarm beverage, you open your inbox to tackle the endless list of emails. You skim through reminders and updates until one stops you in your tracks: accessibility standards. Your colleague’s words echo in your mind “you’ll probably have to tweak your course materials to meet the new requirements”. For a moment, you feel a twinge of panic and begin to imagine this endeavor spiraling into an all-encompassing project…
However, with a few smart edits, you can significantly impact the accessibility of your course materials. Yes, it’ll take some intentional effort, but it shouldn’t monopolize all your spare time.
First, add alt text to images. Simple descriptions (Think: “Circular diagram depicting the water cycle in 4 four steps”) give everyone a clear idea of what’s being shown, even if they can’t see the image. Next, turn on closed captions for videos. Simple editing can make them more accurate, and now your lesson is watchable for students learning in a noisy coffee shop or those who can’t hear the audio.
Navigation matters, too. Keep things consistent across modules with headings and subheadings so students always know where they are (My favorite thing to add to modules are Text Headings; they make a great outline). While you’re at it rename those “click here” mentions for something more descriptive, e.g. “Download the Syllabus” or “Review Final Exam Study Guide.” It’ll save your students (and screen readers) from guessing where every single link might lead.
Why bother with all this? Because part-time teaching is already a juggling act, and the last thing you need is a reason why students can’t access your materials, or worse, a frustrated department chair poking through all your materials claiming your classes are non-compliant and sending you to ‘training’. These small steps save time in the long run—fewer tech complaints, more engaged learners, and a stronger course overall.
Before Your Next Class:
Give one tip a try. Add alt text to the images in your next set of slides, or turn on auto-captioning for your lecture videos and do a quick proofread. Each improvement helps foster a more inclusive environment, proving that a little bit of effort can go a long way—even when you’re a part-timer.
Share this with that professor who learned that "just listen to this video" isn't as inclusive as they thought (but fixed it like a pro), and SUBSCRIBE for bite-sized strategies delivered straight to your inbox. We're in this semester together.
