From the Archive – Summer 2026
While the Coulter Faculty Commons newsletter is on summer break, we’re revisiting selected newsletter introductions from the past year. These posts highlight reflections, teaching ideas, and resources that continue to resonate beyond their original publication date.
April 2026 CFC Newsletter Intro
Originally published in the CFC April 2026 Newsletter on April 8, 2026.
Editor’s note: The compliance deadline was pushed to 2027 after the article’s first publication. For more information, read Provost Starnes’ Update on Digital Accessibility Deadline. However, we recognize that many instructors are working ahead and we therefore decided to republish these resources.
Web Content Accessibility: With the Upcoming April 24 Deadline, Focus on “The Basic Four”
By Anabel Livengood
The deadline for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is around the corner and April 24 is marked on our collective mental calendar. While it can feel overwhelming to think about how to make all our teaching materials accessible, I was reminded during a recent webinar by Thomas Tobin to focus on the “Basic Four” and engage in a triage exercise to organize our accessibility efforts. You can watch the full 55-minute recording of Title II Accessibility – Be Ready for the April Deadline for a limited time.
Essentially, the basic four help us direct our energy to the things that have the biggest impact right away. They consist of focusing on these four elements:
- Document structure
- ALT-text
- Media accessibility
- Using accessible 3rd party resources
Kennesaw State University created the resource Basic Four of Accessibility, which is an excellent starting point to familiarize yourself with each item.
You can find a more detailed list in this month’s It’s on Your Bucket List article or find a Canvas Course Accessibility Checklist list in the previous article What Do Hairballs and the DOJ have in Common? IT is offering multiple opportunities for Digital Accessibility in Canvas trainings. If you’re unsure where to start, the Coulter Faculty Commons is offering support and one-on-one consultations as well.
Triage and start with your most used items like your syllabus and your Canvas course first. You got this!
Browse the full newsletter archive: CFC Newsletter Archive
View the original newsletter: CFC May 2026 Newsletter