Instructional Technology is pleased to offer four workshops on digital accessibility and Ally, available at no cost to UMBC faculty and staff, through July 31, 2026 using a special registration link and code. Created by Blackboard, the available workshops are designed to give you practical skills and a deep understanding of creating accessible and inclusive course content.
Workshop #1: Accessibility Fundamentals
This foundational training is designed to provide participants with a broad understanding of accessibility issues in educational environments. Participants will learn how disabilities can limit access to electronic instructional materials and what they can do to make their course content as accessible as possible to the greatest number of learners.
Workshop #2: Writing Effective Alt Text
Alternative text is a key component of digital accessibility, ensuring that all learners can engage with visual content. Participants will begin with the fundamentals of alternative text, exploring its definition, significance, and how context shapes what makes it meaningful and effective. In addition to learning how to write high-quality alt text, participants will receive practical instruction on how to add alt text in commonly used tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
Workshop #3: Introducing Ally to Learners
Creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment goes beyond just providing accessible content -- it requires clear, intentional communication with students. Introducing Ally to Learners is designed to help instructors effectively engage with students about accessibility and empower them in their use of Ally's Alternative Formats.
Workshop #4: Empowering Learners with Ally's Alternative Formats
This training introduces the alternative formats available through Ally and explores how they support a more inclusive and flexible learning experience for all students. Participants will gain an understanding of each format -- including audio, electronic Braille, BeeLine Reader, HTML, ePub, etc. -- along with practical use cases that highlight when and how learners might benefit from each option.
How to Get Started
There is a special process for UMBC faculty and staff to access this subscription for free, and to enroll in these workshops. Please open an RT ticket to receive the special instructions, registration code, and workshop links.
We encourage UMBC faculty and staff to take advantage of this valuable resource to further your digital accessibility training and professional development! Faculty who complete all four workshops and submit certificates to Instructional Technology can earn the new Accessibility A11y meta microcredential. Certificates must be submitted using this Google Form by the end of SP2026.
Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC's Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.
Don't forget: Tuesday, November 18 is Fix Your Course Content Day! This one-day push is a chance for faculty, staff, and instructional designers to review Ally accessibility reports, make fixes, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive teaching.
Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology, please consider the following options:
Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
Digital Accessibility 101: Principles and Practices
What is digital accessibility, and why does it matter in your course? If a student couldn't access your materials, would you know what to do -- or how to fix it? Join this session to learn the foundational principles of digital accessibility, legal context, and core practices. We'll share tips for creating accessible images and Blackboard content, and where to find training support.
Session Objectives
Explain the importance of digital accessibility in higher education.
Describe basic steps faculty can take to improve course accessibility.
Define alternative text and best practices for writing descriptive alt text
Review accessibility settings available in Blackboard courses and organizations
Whether you're building a new course or updating old materials, this virtual session will give you practical steps to get started.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 (12 pm - 12:50 pm)
Design Accessible Courses: Leverage UDL and Quality Matters Standard 8 for Content Remediation and Inclusive Learning Experiences
Creating accessible and inclusive courses requires thoughtful consideration of diverse learning styles and strategies that foster engaging learning experiences. The foundational concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—providing multiple means of Representation, Action and Expression, and Engagement—are strongly supported by the Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric, specifically General Standard 8: Accessibility and Usability.
Session Objectives
Explain alignment between QM Standard 8 and the three core principles of UDL.
Apply remediation techniques for text and images (QM 8.3, 8.4) after identifying course barriers with a course accessibility report from Anthology Ally.
Develop a "plus-one" action plan to implement UDL by modifying one course component to offer flexible learning options.
By proactively reviewing QM Standard 8 and using UDL's core principles, you can move beyond accessibility compliance to intentionally building an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Thursday, November 6, 2025 (12 pm - 12:50 pm)
Create your Digital Accessibility Action Plan
Whether you are beginning or continuing your journey to create or remediate accessible content, this session will help you define your personalized action plan to improve digital accessibility in your course. Participants will leave with clear next steps to implement digital accessibility best practices.
Session Objectives
Identify technology tools like Anthology Ally for creating or remediating digital content
Describe 3 easy fixes for common PDF accessibility issues identified by Ally
Recall strategies for creating or remediating PDF files to improve accessibility
Create an action plan to support accessibility goals in your course, including appropriate technologies
In this session, participants will have the chance to create an action plan that reflects on the changes they have already made and identifies next steps or resources to keep building an inclusive digital learning environment.
Register for Free NDLW Events
This year's NDLW events take place November 3-7, 2025. All sessions are free to attend, but require registration via USDLA.
Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology, please consider the following options:
Check our extensive FAQ collection & Supported Technologies
Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups