View as Webpage DE Fall Newsletter | DE Website | October 3, 2025

Laptop screen displaying comments in various sizes and colors. On the left side of the banner is a purple square with the text “ACCESSIBILITY” above “DISTANCE EDUCATION RESOURCES

ACCESSIBILITY NEWSLETTER

Why Accessibility?

Image of White background with black text reading “ADA Americans with Disabilities Act.”

The U.S. Department of Justice has finalized updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requiring all state and local government websites and mobile apps—including ACC Blackboard courses and websites—to meet strict accessibility standards by April 24, 2026.

This impacts every Blackboard course, instructional website, and educational resource at ACC, whether used in online, hybrid, hyflex, or face-to-face classes. The Office of Distance & Alternative Education is here to assist you with training, tools, and personalized support.

What Accessibility Means & Why It Matters

Checklist with check mark icons next to a vision icon a CC closed captions icon and a volume icon.

Accessibility ensures that all students, including those with disabilities, can access information, participate fully, and have equal educational opportunities.

Even students who do not disclose disabilities—or those facing temporary barriers (e.g., broken audio on their device)—benefit from captions, transcripts, and well-designed content.

Accessibility improves usability for everyone and is a legal requirement.

Instructor Perception Survey

This short survey seeks to understand instructors' point of view addressing accessibility issues with Blackboard documents.

Take the Instructor Perception Survey

Blackboard Ally: Your Quick Fix Tool

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Additional Accessibility Resources:

Blackboard Ally helps you identify and fix accessibility issues in your courses quickly.

Watch our tutorial to get started:

Blackboard Ally Quick Fixes Video

Top Tips for Accessible Course Design

Illustration of a computer with a black-and-white screen showing a folder icon.

Start Early: Build accessibility into your course materials from the start.
Use Built-In Tools: Accessibility checkers in Word, Google Docs, and Blackboard Ally are your friends.
Limit PDFs: Use Word or Google Docs when possible; they’re easier to make accessible.

Illustration of a screen tab displaying a square icon with alt text in the center in black and white

Alt Text for Images: Describe important visuals clearly.
Style Your Headings: Use heading styles, not just bolded or enlarged text.
Readable Text: Use high contrast, clear spacing, and structured text.

Illustration of a screen tab displaying a video icon with CC letters in black and white

Accessible Tables: Add headers and ensure logical left-to-right reading.
Caption All Media: Provide captions or transcripts for videos and audio.
Descriptive Links: Replace “click here” with meaningful text.
Run Ally Reports Regularly: Fix issues each semester.

Upcoming Workshops & Training

Accessibility Training Sessions (Noon–1 P.M.)

Oct 15: Adobe PDF Accessibility
Nov 5: Blackboard Ultra Ally: Your Friend in Accessibility

These sessions provide hands-on skills to create accessible content across platforms and meet ADA standards.

Need more support?

Visit the DE Accessibility Website or email dlstaff@austincc.edu.

Final Note

Accessibility is not only a compliance requirement; it’s a commitment to inclusion. Start applying these practices now to ensure your courses and materials are ready for April 24, 2026 and beyond.

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Thank you,

Ninghua Han, Ed.D.

Director of Distance Education Quality Assurance,

Distance & Alternative Education Office

ninghua.han@austincc.edu

For any questions, please contact:

dlstaff@austincc.edu

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