Instructional materials, such as textbooks, articles, and resources (whether professionally or instructor/institutionally produced) should be high-quality, ADA accessible, provide a diverse representation of people and ideas, and create an inclusive environment for students.
Universal Design and Accessibility
Universal Design
Accessibility of learning materials does not just refer to the ability of people with disabilities to interact with them. All students absorb information differently, providing alternative formats to accommodate different learning preferences is essential. Keeping Universal Design in mind as you choose materials will improve student retention and success.
How
- Universal Design Guidelines for Representation
Why
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL): a teacher's guide (article)
DIR Accessibility Rules
All University of Texas System institutions must comply with DIR Accessibility Rules when procuring, maintaining, or using Electronic Information Resources (EIR). Please see the Accessibility Policy and Resources at UTEP for more information.
Digital Materials and Resources
- WebAIM's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
- Blackboard Ally for determining the accessibility of electronic documents
- YuJa Video Management for video captioning (you can even import and caption YouTube videos)
- (NCFDD)* Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Students with Disabilities
*The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) is a significant contributor to teaching and professional development resources licensed by UTEP. To access NCFDD materials, you will need to Activate your account.
Course Materials
Open Education Resources Open Education Resources (OER) are instructional materials provided to students at no additional cost, including textbooks, curriculum planning, and instructional videos.
- OER Resources
- OER at UTEP
- OER Commons: for access to OER materials
- OpenStax: for access to free textbooks
- Creative Commons: for access to OER materials
Creating Instructional Materials Creating instructional videos, assignment guidelines, and multimedia lectures is a great way to provide accessible, free materials and guidance to students. Remember that these materials must also comply with the DIR Accessibility Rules.
Text Materials
- Consider using Blackboard Ultra to create web documents, which can include multi-media elements
- Microsoft Office offers tips for creating accessible content
- Try Adobe Express to create infographics*, presentations, videos, etc.
- Consider these brief Universal Design suggestions for creating text materials
*Keep in mind that infographics are not ADA accessible, and you will need to provide another version (text, audio, etc.) of the information.
Audiovisual Materials
- Consider this 5-Step Guide to Making Your Own Instructional Videos
- Learn How to Make a Great Lecture Video (InSPIRE Creative Team)
- Record at home with the Yuja Video Management System (UTEP licensed) for video, screen capture, editing, captioning, storing, and posting media to Blackboard efficiently
- Use Premiere Rush to enhance student engagement with multi-media
- Check out recording equipment for free in the Technology Support Center in the Library room 300.
- Book the UTEP Learning Studio (located in the UGLC), a recording space to assist with the creation of podcasts, videos (with enhancements), and presentations — including a green screen!
