COE Faculty & Staff Accessibility Resources
Accessibility: What do I need to do?
Start here—these steps address most accessibility expectations for teaching and academic materials:
- Use built-in accessibility checkers (Word, PowerPoint, Canvas)
- Structure content with headings and meaningful links
- Caption videos using Panopto or Zoom
- Use alt text for images and describe key visuals
Good to know - Accessibility is about consistent, reasonable effort—not perfection.
If you follow the steps above, you are meeting expectations for most materials.
Need help or working on complex content? Scroll down to “When to ask for help.”
Want more guidance? (Optional)
The Digital Accessibility Playbook is a self-paced resource for engineering faculty and staff that provides practical, hands-on strategies for creating accessible digital content. Modules are flexible—start where you need, or begin with Modules 1 and 2 for a strong foundation.
--> Access the Digital Accessibility Playbook (VT login required)
I’m trying to… (Select the task below that best matches what you are working on.)
What to do
- Use built-in heading styles (not bold text for structure)
- Run the accessibility checker in Word or PDF tools
- Use descriptive links (avoid “click here”)
- Ensure tables include clear headers
- Write Alt text for complex images (engineering diagrams may need structured descriptions)
Use these tools
- Writing alt text for complex images
- Making Accessible Documents Using LaTeX
- Use Microsoft accessibility Checkers
- Author Guidelines for Preparing Accessible Mathematics Content
- Use Headings
- Scanned PDFs with no selectable text
- Missing headings
- Tables without structure
When to ask for help
- PDFs you did not create
- Complex or lengthy documents
- TLOS 1:1 accessibility support appointment
What to do
- Use slide layouts (not manual formatting)
- Ensure readable font size and color contrast
- Add alt text to images
- Avoid overloading slides with content
Use these tools
- Use PowerPoint accessibility checker
- Writing alt text for complex images
- Use branded and accessible slides
Common issues
- Low contrast colors
- Text-heavy slides
- Images without descriptions
When to ask for help
- Technical diagrams or complex visuals
- TLOS 1:1 accessibility support appointment
What to do
- Provide captions for all videos
- Review auto-captions for accuracy
- Ensure audio clarity
Use these tools
- Panopto or Zoom captioning tools
Common issues
- Incorrect auto-captions
- Missing captions on uploaded files
When to ask for help
- Technical terminology requiring accurate captions
- High-impact or widely shared videos
What to do
- Use headings to organize content
- Use Canvas accessibility checker
- Provide descriptive links and instructions
Use these tools
Common issues
- Long pages without structure
- Poor link descriptions
When to ask for help
- Course redesign or large-scale updates
What to do
- Use clear subject line
- Keep formatting simple
- Use descriptive links
- Avoid large image-based emails
Common issues
- Important content embedded in images
- Long, unstructured messages
When to ask for help
- Mass communications or newsletters
- TLOS 1:1 accessibility support appointment
If you're unsure where to begin:
Start with the basics:
- Run an accessibility checker
- Use headings
- Caption videos
Focus on high-impact materials first:
- Core courses
- Frequently used documents
- Public-facing content
Accessibility is a shared responsibility—start small and improve over time.
You should contact support if:
- Content is highly visual or technical (e.g., diagrams, schematics)
- Materials are high-impact (core courses, required content)
- You are working under time constraints
- You received a student request or accommodation
Support is available through:
- COE resources
- TLOS 1:1 accessibility support appointment