The Drake Institute is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new teaching endorsement in accessibility-minded teaching: Foundations of Accessibility in Teaching and Learning.
Grounded in evidence-based practices, this endorsement equips educators and instructional support staff to proactively design courses, learning activities and digital materials that support learner variability and foster meaningful participation for all students. By incorporating approaches such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility-minded course design and digital accessibility standards, the program emphasizes designing accessible courses from the start, rather than relying on retroactive remediation.
Through workshops, on-demand learning opportunities and collaborative learning experiences, participants will learn strategies for creating clear, consistent and student-friendly learning environments. They will:
- Apply UDL principles to reduce barriers to learning.
- Develop accessibility-minded instructional materials and activities.
- Create and revise digital content using institutionally supported tools such as CarmenCanvas and Ally.
- Identify resources to support ongoing improvement of their practice.
Foundations of Accessibility in Teaching and Learning recognizes accessibility as a shared responsibility and an essential component of teaching excellence across the university. Throughout the endorsement journey, participants will develop an understanding that accessibility extends beyond standards and compliance—rather, it is a key ingredient for strong teaching and an indispensable building block of effective learning environments.
The Drake Institute looks forward to sharing additional details and welcoming our first endorsement participants in the near future. Stay tuned to our newsletter and bookmark our Teaching Endorsements page for updates.