Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Web accessibility means making sure everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and use your digital course materials, tools, and content. ASU is committed to inclusion as it is part of our mission and values as an institution. Accessibility helps all of our students succeed—whether they use screen readers, need captions, or just benefit from clear design. You can find full guidelines and resources at https://accessibility.asu.edu. 

As a faculty member, you should design new course content to be accessible from the start and review and remediate your existing course materials to ensure they meet accessibility standards. For example, you should make sure to add captions for videos and other media, use appropriate headings in documents and Canvas pages, and include alternative text for all images and graphs. Review the ASU FRAME website for specific details and tutorials. Accessibility is an ongoing process and we are committed to continuous improvement and providing support along the way.

As a staff member, you are responsible for applying accessible design practices in your daily work and communications. This includes creating documents, presentations, and digital content that can be accessed and understood by all audiences.

You are also encouraged to build awareness of accessibility standards and to support others in learning and applying inclusive design principles. By doing so, you contribute to ASU’s commitment to access and inclusion across the university community.

ASU follows all applicable law, which requires compliance with the WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards. Accessible course design should prioritize:

• Captioned videos – All video and audio content must have accurate captions.
• Descriptive alt text – Add brief descriptions (alt text) to images so screen readers can convey the content. For complex graphics, provide longer, more detailed descriptions when needed.
• Headings and structure – Use built-in headers in documents and Canvas to organize content clearly.
• Readable documents – Ensure PDFs and Word/Google Docs are text-based (not scans) and formatted for screen reader accessibility.
• Color contrast – Make sure text stands out clearly from the background.

For quick reference, please enroll in the FRAME course to gain access to the one-page checklists for faculty and course design.  

The FRAME webpage identifies the ASU tools by action, looking at document accessibility within Microsoft and Google Workspaces, video and media content, tools in the Learning Management System, and more. Each tool supports a different aspect of accessible course design and is available for use within your ASU course. Start with the tools that align best with your course content.

• Check your Canvas content with Ally and the Canvas Accessibility Checker to identify issues with text, images, and layout for your Canvas pages (not files or videos).
• Ensure video and audio accessibility by leveraging MediaPlus for captioning and transcription.
• Collaborate with the ASU Library through the Library Resource Organizer to ensure your course materials are accessible, affordable, and easy for students to locate.
• Remediate inaccessible PDFs using Equidox, a tool designed to convert complex or scanned documents into accessible formats.
• Create screen reader–friendly STEM content using Equatio, which supports digital math, logic, and scientific notation.
• Enable live transcription and captions during your Zoom session to enhance accessibility. Share materials in advance and follow inclusive engagement practices to support all participants in real time.

Visit FRAME, your one-stop site for learning how to design accessible course content. It offers practical guidance, tools, and examples to support accessibility in documents, media, and learning environments across all modalities—whether in person, hybrid, or online.

Visit the ASU Accessibility Events page for all accessibility related workshops. Visit FRAME for training related to course accessibility.

Even small changes can make a big impact. Start by focusing on the materials students use most often — add headings, include captions and transcripts for your videos, and use quick accessibility tools like the Microsoft Accessibility Checker or Ally in Canvas. Aim to complete one action each month to steadily improve accessibility.

ASU offers a range of support resources to help you design more accessible learning experiences. Depending on your instructional context, you may work with:

• Your local instructional design team – Most academic units have dedicated support staff who can assist with accessibility practices and tools specific to your unit. 
• ASU Library Course Resource Services – This team helps you find accessible and affordable learning materials and supports the use of the Library Resource Organizer.
• Learning Experience (LX) Design team – This central team offers tools, workshops, office hours, and consultations to support digital accessibility in all modalities.
• EdPlus Digital Learning team – For online courses (o-courses), EdPlus provides accessibility expertise and development support.
• Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services (SAILS) – SAILS serves as the central hub for student accommodations and provides consultation on inclusive learning strategies.