The University of Maryland’s Strategic Plan reflects a commitment to taking an inclusive approach to teaching and learning that enables people of all abilities to reach their full potential. As such, it’s important to foster the creation of learning experiences and environments that provide equitable access to information, learning materials, and digital tools to help every student thrive.
Recognizing that digital accessibility is a central university priority, the Division of Information Technology is leading efforts to meet updated legal requirements. This is a valuable opportunity for our campus to transform education in ways that recognize the experiences, strengths and needs of all students.
As you prepare your Spring 2026 courses, please take time to review UMD's Accessible Technology Policy, aligned with the Department of Justice’s new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, effective on April 24, 2026. Digital accessibility is an explicit expectation under university policy and federal ADA requirements. As instructors, you are responsible for the digital accessibility of your course materials. To support this important campuswide transformation, resources have been developed and more will be added in the future.
Digital accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time task
As you prepare for the spring semester, the expectation is that all new course materials are accessible, and that existing materials are remediated over time.
Design new course material with accessibility in mind
Whether you are designing a new course or revising an existing one, it’s important to prioritize accessibility from the start. The Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) has an accessible ELMS-Canvas template and offers a virtual coaching series (Design Sprint) in January with a self-paced alternative to support your inclusive course design process.
Learn about Universal Design for Learning and Digital Accessibility
- Enroll in a workshop or asynchronous training from TLTC or DIT’s Digital Accessibility team. You can also review digital accessibility training recordings at your own pace. Topics related to Universal Design for Learning and digital accessibility strategies will help you enhance your course.
- Review self-serve resources in this Digital Accessibility Guide for Instructors. It illustrates the Six Essential Steps for course-focused strategies such as video captions, heading structure, alternative text, and color contrast principles.
Take steps to make your content accessible
The Division of Information Technology’s Digital Accessibility website outlines services, tools, and guidance for creating accessible documents, multimedia, ELMS-Canvas content, and other instructional technologies. It is recommended that you prioritize activities that are required for all students (e.g., core readings, slides, ELMS-Canvas pages, assessments, and required videos).
Seek discipline-specific assistance
We recognize that achieving digital accessibility in some courses may be more complex than in others (e.g., courses with equations, diagrams, musical notation, chemistry structures, interactive simulations, etc.). In these situations, we recommend keeping existing resources in place. Begin by prioritizing materials for major assessments, then create a plan for more comprehensive improvements over time. You can also request a unit- or department-specific session to address unique challenges and solutions.
Continue supporting students with approved accommodations
UMD's Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) will continue to provide guidance to students with approved accommodations. DIT’s Digital Accessibility team and TLTC staff are available to help with instructional questions regarding how to best serve individual students. Should a student with an accommodation contact you with specific digital accessibility needs, these accommodations must be provided promptly, even if other digital accessibility steps are still underway.
Digital accessibility across all campus functions
Lastly, as an instructor, it may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with members of the Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee and Digital Accessibility Liaisons, who can serve as key points of contact between you, your college or school and the central digital accessibility efforts across campus. These individuals can help you navigate questions, prioritize next steps, and connect with relevant tools, training, and support. Both groups have access to digital accessibility analytics dashboards, which provide key metrics for ELMS-Canvas courses via Ally and UMD websites registered on Siteimprove or DIT’s Website Registry. The dashboards are designed to support your unit in advancing accessibility efforts within your area of responsibility. Individuals on both committees can serve as resources in establishing a digital accessibility plan for your course(s).
We appreciate your commitment to inclusive instruction. Your efforts ensure equitable learning experiences for all students and are essential to fulfilling the university's commitment to digital accessibility.
-- Adapted from an email to all UMD Spring 2026 instructors sent December 11, 2025 and signed by Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and Jennifer King Rice, Senior Vice President and Provost --