Beyond Compliance: Building Accessible and Inclusive Classrooms

Beyond Compliance: Building Accessible and Inclusive Classrooms

Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Send us a text message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316030/fan_mail/new] Compliance may open the door, but culture invites students in. This episode closes the mini-series by examining how accessibility and inclusion work together and how small, consistent practices can turn compliance into belonging. We outline practical steps faculty can use now: open with a clear commitment to access, strengthen syllabus language, gather feedback through brief check-ins and midsemester surveys, and act on what students share. Empathy and flexibility expand access to high standards. If you enjoyed the discussion, subscribe and leave a review. Connect with us  at buffalo.edu/catt or email ubcatt@buffalo.edu. [ ubcatt@buffalo.edu]

Digital Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning

Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Send us a text message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316030/fan_mail/new] Deadlines are approaching, but accessibility is about more than compliance. We speak with Sarah Guglielmi, instructional consultant for accessible and inclusive pedagogy, about linking ADA Title II updates with Universal Design for Learning to create more effective courses. The episode covers UDL as a planning mindset for learner variability and offers practical fixes—clear headings, accessible slides, strong color contrast, meaningful alt text, and captions and transcripts. We also share how to pace the work by focusing on one Spring 2026 course and building small, sustainable improvements. These strategies meet ADA Title II requirements while helping students engage, persist, and show what they know.

Making Digital Content Accessible for Everyone

Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Send us a text message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316030/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we share practical, approachable ways to make digital content more usable for everyone—going beyond technical checkboxes to focus on real-world accessibility. We discuss how usability connects to Universal Design for Learning, simple improvements like clear headings, white space, and strong color contrast, and why it’s important to avoid using color alone to communicate meaning. You’ll also hear tips for offering content in multiple formats, including polished captions and transcripts for audio and video, plus how built-in tools can help you catch and fix common issues.

How to Start Your Course Digital Accessibility Review

Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Send us a text message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316030/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we share a practical, step-by-step approach to creating digitally accessible course content using a simple workflow—remove barriers, replace inaccessible elements, and remediate what remains. We talk about how to start small (one document, one slide deck, or one LMS page), use built-in accessibility checkers and quick fixes, and address common issues like headings, alt text, color contrast, and tables. We also cover strategies for handling PDFs and specialized formats, plus easy ways to track progress with short work blocks and checklists. If you enjoyed today’s discussion, please subscribe and leave a review, and connect with us at buffalo.edu/catt or email ubcatt@buffalo.edu [ubcat@buffalo.edu].

What is Changing Under Title II and How to Get Started

Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Send us a text message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316030/fan_mail/new] New ADA Title II regulations require public universities to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for digital content by 2026. In this episode, instructional consultant, Sarah Guglielmi, explains what that means for faculty and course materials, from Word documents and PDFs to LMS modules and recorded lectures. She shares why accessible design benefits all learners and offers a simple starter plan: focus on one high-impact course, start with one document and one slide deck, and use accessibility checkers to catch quick wins. Plus, learn about campus resources to help you stay on track and make accessibility a habit that improves learning for every student.