UDL & Accessibility Checklist

• Provide text alternatives for all audio/video
  • Procure captioned video
  • Seek permissions to caption uncaptioned or auto-captioned video
  • Add captions to owned/created video
  • Incorporate sounds and descriptions of visual content
  • Include a transcript with audio and captioned video

• Add images and text with care
  • Only use images that add meaning
  • Add an image title (alternative text) (avoid “picture of,” “image of”)
  • Add long descriptions for complex images, e.g. charts, graphs
  • Use meaningful file names
  • Add empty alt text for purely aesthetic images <alt = “ “>
  • Avoid use of word art and textboxes
  • Avoid blinking and flashing animations and rapid visual effects

• Create accessible documents
  • Use styles to create sequential headings
  • Use built-in features to create lists, columns, table layouts
  • Use images to support concepts
  • Run PC accessibility checker (Mac)
  • Use “save as” to create accessible PDFs

• Consider color
  • Use high contrasting foreground/background colors
  • Use more than color to convey important information
  • Use red and green with caution and care

• Make communications clear, clean, and simple
  • Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms
  • Use consistent navigation
  • Chunk content, e.g. 5-7 minute video
  • Incorporate white space
  • Use upper/lowercase, non-italic, and san serif fonts for chunks of text (at least 12 pt.)
  • Consider readability level
  • Use concise, descriptive, and meaningful links (warn if opens a new window)
  • Limit/avoid text in graphics

• Include alternatives for learners
  • Provide multiple means of engaging learners
  • Present content through multiple modes
  • Offer multiple means of knowledge expression

• Create accessible slide presentations
  • Use slide layouts for slides
  • Use built-in features to create lists, columns, table layouts
  • Avoid use of word art and textboxes
  • Run Windows accessibility checker (Mac)
  • Use “save as” to create accessible PDFs

See also Ten Simple Steps Toward Universal Design of Online Courses