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Why do I need to have an accessible syllabus?
Why do I need to have an accessible syllabus?
The U.S. Department of Justice issued enhanced regulations for web and mobile accessibility under Title II of the ADA, with a compliance date of April 24, 2026, for all public entities serving populations of over 50,000 people. STCC is part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts higher education, and follows Massachusetts Title II guidance. To meet Title II requirements, content needs to comply with WCAG (web content accessibility guidelines) 2.1 AA standards. The enhanced accessibility requirements apply to, for example, learning management systems like Blackboard, faculty course content, and online textbooks. An accessible syllabus is the first step to creating a barrier free course entry point for all learners.
What makes a syllabus accessible?
What makes a syllabus accessible?
An accessible syllabus follows WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and is:
Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. For example, images need to have alternative text so that a student using a screen reader can perceive the image.
Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. For example, student can use just their keyboard to navigate through the document without relying on a mouse.
Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. For example, consistent navigation allows for students to easily understand content.
Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. Common examples of assistive technologies are screen readers, screen magnifiers, and voice recognition software.
What are key components of an accessible syllabus?
What are key components of an accessible syllabus?
The five most important aspects of an accessible syllabus are:
See full guidance on document accessibility for additional information.
How do I create an accessible syllabus?
How do I create an accessible syllabus?
An accessible syllabus can be created in either Microsoft Word or Google Docs. It may be easiest to start with an accessible syllabus template:
Google Docs Syllabus Template (click Use Template to make a copy to edit in your Google Drive).
MS Word Document version of the template (see embedded document).
If you prefer to adjust your existing syllabus document, make sure to follow document accessibility guidelines. Then, use
Course Syllabus Template_Equitable.docxClick to Pop-Out syllabus preview, and select to download the document.
How do I know if my syllabus is accessible?
How do I know if my syllabus is accessible?
You have followed all of the best practices, check to see if any adjustments are needed. Microsoft Word has a built in accessibility checker, and Google Docs offers an extension. While these checkers are automated algorithms that will make mistakes, they are a good first pass to check for errors.
Can I use a PDF syllabus?
Can I use a PDF syllabus?
Yes, you can use an accessible PDF syllabus. Start with an accessible Microsoft Word or Google Docs document.
From MS Word, Save as Adobe PDF. Do not print to PDF.
From Google Docs, use Grackle to Export to PDF. Do not Download PDF document from File menu.
Need help?
Need help?
Meet with an Instructional Designer:
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