Program Goals

Many instructors may know about the importance of making accessible course content, but may not be sure where to start. The Accessibility in the Curriculum (AIC) certificate can be earned by completing several small projects to improve accessibility in the instructor’s own courses.

Steps include completing one self-paced tutorial (mandatory) while developing a customized training plan based on your course accessibility audit. Additional steps include submitting an accessible syllabus file, testing and finding accessible content from another source, and submitting an accessible file or media item you made. This program includes multiple consultation and peer communication opportunities allowing you to receive personalized insights on best practices for making your content using your tools more accessible.

Many instructors who have implemented accessible workflows have reported developing more usable workflows, becoming more proficient in different technologies and even improved student ratings. Whether you teach math, art history, biology, music or a foreign language there are tools available to help you create course content that not only meets accessibility guidelines, but is more usable by every student.

Program Options

This program is open to faculty, staff and graduate students who are the primary instructor for an official Penn State course section (online, hybrid or face-to-face). See the list below for certificate options.

Program Structure and Requirements

Time: 10-15 hours.

This asynchronous certificate is earned by completing some training and submitting a course accessibility portfolio the elements listed below:

The goal of the portfolio is to demonstrate an understanding of accessibility guidelines relevant to the instructor’s discipline and teaching style. Participants will consult with accessibility experts and others as needed to produce a training planbin order to produce the components listed above.

The Accessibility in the Curriculum (AIC) program includes both synchronous and asynchronous components. Most training can be done synchronously in Zoom or online through the Accessibility Learning Path or components on the accessibility.psu.edu website. It’s your choice.

Overview of Program Steps

Step 1: Orientation (Summer 2025)

The orientation on Zoom is where you can ask questions and meet both accessibility professionals and other people working in the AIC program. A Teams space will be set up to help you keep track of the program and find people who can help you learn more.

Step 2: Complete Introduction to Accessibility Tutorial

This asynchronous or synchronous session introduces you to different disability audiences and the barriers they face. Accessibility is the process of building ways to navigate these barriers. Understanding the diverse needs of your students is crucial to learning how to create accessible content effectively and efficiently.

This step should be completed by earning a certificate in the self-paced online Accessibility Learning Path “Introduction to Accessibility” tutorial. The certificate is earned by reviewing materials about user needs and "blockers" and passing a final quiz.

Step 3: Course Audit

What kinds of materials do you use in your course? How are they connected to your course’s learning objectives. Understanding the rationale of your course structure will help guide you to the appropriate next steps.

Note: This includes a 30 min consultation with IT Accessibility. Your audit can help you develop an effective plan to learn which accessibility skills apply to your course.

Step 4: Create an Accessible Syllabus (Flexible)

Learn the skills needed to make an accessible syllabus document in preferred format such as Microsoft Word, a tagged PDF from Microsoft Word, Canvas, Sites at Penn State or other viable platform.

Once you have created a syllabus, you can use the same workflow to create additional documents accessibly.

Step 5: Create Additional Accessible Content (Choose 1)

Expand your accessibility repertoire to items such as PowerPoint slides, image description, accessible color design, video accessibility, equations, and more. Many topics are available as Zoom webinars or on the Accessibility Learning Path. Additional tutorials can also be found in the Penn State Linked In Learning.

Step 6: Testing Tools (Flexible)

This step introduces you to a set of easy-to-learn tools which allow you to quickly assess the accessibility of different types of course material. Mini tutorials will cover commonly used tools to test accessibility of documents, color palettes, websites, videos and more.

Understanding these tools will help you learn if your resources and those others create are accessible. Common testing tools include Anthology Ally, the WAVE toolbar to test websites, TPGi Colour Contrast Analyser, Color Oracle and built in accessibility checkers in Canvas, Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

Step 7: Complete Portfolio

In this step you will complete your (accessible) portfolio using all the skills you have learned.

Register

Ready to register and join the AIC program? Complete the registration form to get started. Applications for Summer 2025 will open: May 27, 2025.

AIC Program Registration Form

Contact Us

Interested in learning more? Click the registration link to find out how to sign up.

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Last Update: June 9, 2025