Why Accessible Content Matters

  1. Equity and Inclusion: Accessible materials allow all students to participate fully, fostering an inclusive classroom environment.
  2. Compliance with Law: Schools must meet standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  3. Better Learning Outcomes: Students who can independently access content are more engaged, confident, and successful academically.
  4. Professional Credibility: As educators and content creators, providing accessible resources reflects high-quality, thoughtful practice.

Common Accessibility Barriers

  • Screenshots of text or tables: These appear as images, which screen readers cannot interpret.
  • Locked or scanned PDFs: Prevent users from copying text or using assistive technologies.
  • Color-dependent information: Important instructions or answers conveyed only in color are inaccessible to students with color blindness.
  • Complex layouts: Multi-column documents or tables without proper structure can confuse screen readers.

How to Create Accessible Materials

1. Use Text-Based Documents
  • Create files in Word, Google Docs, or PowerPoint rather than screenshots or scanned PDFs.
  • Ensure text is selectable and readable by screen readers.
2. Use Proper Headings and Structure
  • Organize content with headings (H1, H2, H3) for logical navigation.
  • Use bullet points or numbered lists instead of embedded images of lists.
3. Add Alt Text to Images
  • Describe the purpose and content of images, graphs, and charts.
  • Keep alt text concise but informative.
4. Ensure Color Contrast
  • Use high-contrast colors for text and backgrounds.
  • Avoid conveying information solely through color—add labels or symbols.
5. Use Accessible PDFs
  • If distributing PDFs, ensure they are tagged PDFs with text that can be read by screen readers.
  • Avoid password-protecting or locking PDFs in ways that block accessibility.
6. Provide Multiple Formats
  • Offer materials in Word or Google Docs alongside PDFs.
  • Consider audio versions or large-print versions for students with low vision.
7. Test Your Materials
  • Use free tools like the WAVE Accessibility Checker or Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker to ensure documents are readable by assistive technology.
  • If possible, ask a colleague or student using assistive technology to review your materials.

Solutions for Existing Content

  • Convert scanned PDFs to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) text.
  • Replace screenshots with editable, text-based tables or images with alt text.
  • Reformat multi-column layouts into single-column structures for easier reading.
​Creating accessible content benefits all learners and supports your professional responsibility as an educator or content creator. By designing materials that everyone can use, you ensure equity, improve learning outcomes, and demonstrate commitment to inclusive education. Small adjustments, such as using text-based files, alt text, and accessible PDFs, significantly impact student access and success.

Video Tutorials on Creating Accessible Content

Resource Access

Instructional articles on this site are open access and do not require an account. Free Members may access select free resources and goal banks.
Downloadable printable resources, lesson plans, recorded presentations, and ECC instructional units are available to Premium Subscribers.

Full Article List

Guide: Start Here
Tools (VI Basics)
Plan: Referrals & Eligibility
Referral & Eligibility​ ​Medical Vision Information 
FVLMALow Vision Evaluations
Other Evaluations
Plan: IEP Planning
Plan: Collaboration & Accessibility
​Collaboration Accessible Materials ​Classroom Access Instructional Access Technology Access ​Additional Supports Service Delivery Models  ​
Teach: Compensatory Skills
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development ​Alternative Communication ​Emergent Literacy ​Braille Code
​Beginning Braille ​ Braille Fluency & Comprehension  Writing Braille ​​​Nemeth Code Instruction 
​​​Tactile Graphics ​Print Concepts ​​Abacus  ​​Organization Skills​ ​​Study Skills ​​Time Management
Teach: Sensory Efficiency Skills
​Auditory & Listening Skills ​​Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use ​Tactile Readiness
Teach: Assistive Technology 
AT Overview ​AT Use & Maintenance Braille AT ​iOS Instruction Audio Access​ ​Video Magnifiers ​​​Basic Computer Use Computer Access ​Productivity
Teach: Social Skills
Social Skill Basics​
Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ Verbal Communication Skills Cooperative Skills Identity & Self-Awareness ​Interactions & Relationships Managing Challenges & Safety
Teach: Self Determination
Teach: Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene & Grooming ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation
Household Skills Clothing Management ​Money & Budget Shopping & Consumerism Phone Use ​Safety & Emergency Preparedness ​​Services & Community Resources
Teach: Orientation & Mobility
Teach: Recreation & Leisure
Teach: Career & Vocational
Printables
Free Resources​ Premium Resource Library 
Teaching Strategy Printables 
​Premium Program Printables
​Premium FVLMA Printables
​ECC PrintablesCompensatory Skills Printables
Sensory Efficiency Printables
Assistive Technology Printables
Social Skills Printables
Self Determination Printables
Independent Living Printables
Recreation & Leisure Printables
Career & Vocational Printables
Evelyn Jane Stories 
Learn: Teaching Strategies & Planning
Learn: ​ECC Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall UnitsWinter Units ​​Winter Units ​​Spring UnitsAnytime Units
Learn: ​Interactive Activities
Learn: Recorded Presentations
Learn: Complete Set Bonus ​

Create Accessible Content Recorded Presentation