Accessibility means ensuring that all students can easily reach and engage with course materials—regardless of ability or individual needs. While accommodations involve making case-by-case adjustments when a student discloses a specific need, accessibility is a proactive approach that makes content usable for everyone, all the time.

True accessibility goes beyond simply meeting accommodation requirements. It creates an inclusive environment from the start, reducing barriers and supporting diverse learning preferences and needs.

For students who do require accommodations, an already-accessible class is more welcoming and less stressful—it signals that their needs have been considered from the beginning. For students who don’t require formal accommodations, accessible materials still offer significant benefits: they’re easier to navigate on personal devices, more flexible for different learning styles, and generally enhance understanding and engagement.

Designing with accessibility in mind benefits all students—not just those with accommodations.