{"id":24546,"date":"2026-03-03T10:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/?p=24546"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:32:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:32:27","slug":"we-recommend-make-accessibility-part-of-your-course-design-toolkit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2026\/03\/03\/we-recommend-make-accessibility-part-of-your-course-design-toolkit\/","title":{"rendered":"We Recommend: Make Accessibility Part of Your Course Design Toolkit"},"content":{"rendered":"

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March 2026<\/span><\/h2>\n

Recommended by Anabel Livengood, Senior Educational Developer <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UDL and\u00a0<\/span>accessibility go together like peanut butter and jelly \u2013 they complement each other perfectly. With the upcoming\u00a0<\/span>deadline\u00a0<\/span>fo<\/span>r\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Web Content Accessibility Guidelines<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on April 24<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>want to highlight a few Universal Design for Learning<\/span>\u00a0(UDL) resources that can support you in your efforts to make your teaching\u00a0materials more accessible for all learners.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Irish government and AHEAD Ireland<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>published the free e-book \u201cUDL for FET Practitioners:\u00a0Guidance for Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Irish Further Education and Training<\/span>\u201d<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>While th<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>e-book and its accompanying <\/span>resources<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>were<\/span>\u00a0created for the Irish educational context, they serve as excellent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>guides<\/span>\u00a0for in-depth exploration of UDL<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>filled with examples of practi<\/span>ti<\/span>oners<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>refer to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>full 211 page e-book<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as well as a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>succinct 20 page summary<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and three<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>reflection toolkits<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>two<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>designed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>instructors new to UDL, and one for already experienced UDL practitioners with the go<\/span>a<\/span>l for deeper reflection<\/span>)<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>All of these resources provide advice for implementing UDL and provide examples from different teaching contexts.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/03\/udl-for-fet-cover.png” alt=”Book cover of %22The Missing Course: Everything They Never Taught You about College Teaching%22 by David Gooblar.” title_text=”udl for fet cover” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/03\/Tom-Tobin-resiex-pixelswidth-328×1030-1-96×300.jpg” alt=”Thomas Tobin, smiling into the camera.” title_text=”Tom-Tobin-resiex-pixelswidth-328×1030″ align=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”right” min_height=”317px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The upcoming\u00a0free\u00a0webinar\u00a0\u201c<\/span>Title II Accessibility: Be Ready for the April Deadline<\/span><\/a>\u201d on Tuesday, March 10\u00a0(3:00\u00a0–\u00a04:00\u00a0pm)\u00a0will help\u00a0you\u00a0prepare for upcoming Title II accessibility expectations while keeping the focus on practical, student-centered design.\u00a0Facilitated by UDL expert Dr. Thomas J. Tobin, you\u00a0will explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) proactively reduces access barriers for\u00a0everyone,\u00a0not just those with formal accommodations,\u00a0by building flexibility and inclusivity into courses\u00a0from the start.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope these resources will help you expand your course design toolkit by incorporating UDL in small\u00a0ways\u00a0this\u00a0term\u00a0to\u00a0round off\u00a0your\u00a0<\/span>accessible Canvas courses<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To access the full collection of teaching-related recommendations,
visit CFC\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0We Recommend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

March 2026 Recommended by Anabel Livengood, Senior Educational Developer \u00a0 UDL and\u00a0accessibility go together like peanut butter and jelly \u2013 they complement each other perfectly. With the upcoming\u00a0deadline\u00a0for\u00a0Web Content Accessibility […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.5\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p>

Teaching in the GenAI Era:
Three Key Insights from The Missing Course<\/em><\/h2>

February 2026<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

Recommended by Scott Seagle, Educational Developer <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\"1_2,1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.5\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]David\u00a0Gooblar's\u00a0<\/span>The Missing\u00a0Course<\/span><\/i>\u00a0offers practical, research-backed strategies for college instructors looking to enhance their teaching effectiveness. At the heart of his approach is constructivist learning theory,\u00a0the idea that students must actively construct their own knowledge rather than passively receive information. Here are three essential areas where you can apply these principles in your courses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

First, adopt active learning strategies to create student investment in your course.\u00a0Moving beyond lecture-centered teaching requires building a genuine partnership with students. Start by explaining the science behind active learning on day one to\u00a0establish\u00a0expectations for participation\u00a0(Gooblar, pg. 22).\u00a0While grades motivate students, the key to lasting engagement is helping them take ownership of their learning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/The-Missing-Course-200x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Book cover of %22The Missing Course: Everything They Never Taught You about College Teaching%22 by David Gooblar.\" title_text=\"The Missing Course\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.27.5\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.5\" _module_preset=\"default\" hover_enabled=\"0\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p>

Gooblar<\/span>, D. (2019). The missing course: everything they never taught you about college teaching<\/a>. <\/span><\/span>Harvard University Press.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.5\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]Consider adopting these strategies:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>