Beyond the Buzzword: Creating Accessible Content with Tools You Already Have

Outline

1. Welcome
1 A. Warm welcome exercise
1 B. Navigating session materials, including downloading the note catcher, participants will use to practice and apply each element in the session
1 B I. Slide deck with exercises: Google Slides and PowerPoint versions
1 B Ii. Document to practice: Docs and Word versions
2. Why design matters
2 A. Our learners - blanket the table exercise in small groups and large group share
2 B. Learner variability -
2 B i. Storytelling
2 B ii. Accompanying digital note catcher practice and apply activity
3. Design - participants will explore each of the following elements, have them modeled for them, and then practice applying principles related to each element.
3 A. Elements of design and why each matters - plus accompanying digital note catcher practice and apply activity
3 B. Font
3 C. Color
3 D. Media
3 D i. Images
3 D ii. Video
3 D iii. Audio
4. Structure - participants will explore each of the following elements, have them modeled for them, and then practice applying principles related to each element.
4 A. Why does structure matter? - plus accompanying digital note catcher practice and apply activity
4 B. Layout
4 C. Headings
4 D. White space
4 E. Icons
5. What’s that one thing you’re willing to try and implement this year?
5 A. Padlet to share what they’re willing to commit to trying and implementing
5 B. Feedback and closure

Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to: identify and locate the key accessibility features built directly into the Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 platforms, use the tools built into the Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 platforms to create content that is accessible and inclusive, and apply universal design principles to create accessible digital content. Additionally, participants will: reflect on their current design practices and leave with guidelines and practices ready to apply to their digital content moving forward.

Supporting research

Books:
Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice by Anne Meyer and David Rose
The End of Average by Todd Rose
Inclusive Design for Accessibility: A Practical Guide to Digital Accessibility, UX, and Inclusive Web and App Design by Dale Cruse and Denis Boudreau

Articles:
Inclusive Design for Online and Blended Courses: Connecting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Universal Design for Learning by Susie Gronseth: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1218623
Beyond Universal Design for Learning: Guiding Principles to Reduce Barriers to Digital & Media Literacy Competence by Elizabeth Dalton, Journal of Media Literacy Education, v9 n2 p17-29 2017
Cezarotto, M. (2023). Guiding principles towards inclusive design: research notes for meaningful change. InfoDesign, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.51358/id.v20i2.1093
Inclusive Education: Is Applying Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to Digital Learning Materials Enough? By Elisio Sciarretta 22 April 2025 https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70104

Websites:
WCAG: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/
How to Design Accessible and Inclusive Content (and why it matters): https://www.uxdesigninstitute.com/blog/accessible-and-inclusive-content/
https://www.novakeducation.com/