Digital accessibility update: Next steps and training opportunities
App State's Digital Accessibility Resources and Training (DART) initiative is pleased to provide an update on the university’s progress to ensure that all digital content, resources and technology meet accessibility standards by April 24, 2026, in compliance with Policy 909: Digital Accessibility and federal regulations.
This semester:
- DART leadership has been presenting at meetings across campus and soliciting questions from faculty, staff and administration.
- Academic Technologies and the Office of Access and Opportunity: Disability Resources have introduced a robust schedule of workshops related to digital accessibility compliance.
- University Communications’ web team is engaging with stakeholders to update web content to meet digital accessibility standards and working to identify a tool(s) to check for web accessibility.
Addressing your feedback
The team has primarily received questions about how to get started, as well as training and resources.
Where to start
Start small: Focus first on the digital accessibility of critical and most-used content, such as email, presentations and university websites you manage. Faculty should also consider current-semester course syllabi and lecture materials (e.g., presentations or PDFs).
Focus on fundamentals and start with these core objectives:
- Use proper headings in documents and on websites.
- Use descriptive links in any medium.
- Add alternative text (alt text) to images in any medium.
- Provide captions/transcripts for video/audio media.
Visit DART Resources and Support for more information.
Training opportunities
The Office of Access and Opportunity: Disability Resources and Academic Technologies teams are hosting online and in-person workshops to provide information and tools necessary to review and update teaching, learning and administrative materials.
Disability Resources sessions
Access Granted: Opening Digital Doors at App State
- In-person: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m., Plemmons Student Union, Room 100 (New River)
- Online: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, 1 p.m.
Academic Technologies sessions
Academic Technologies is offering a series of Access Academy sessions from fall 2025 through spring 2026. All sessions will be conducted online and recorded.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Accessibility Basics
- Tuesday, Oct. 28 – AsULearn Accessibility and Brickfield
- Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Microsoft Word Accessibility
- Tuesday, Nov. 11 – PowerPoint Accessibility
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Excel Accessibility
Open Lab sessions are also available for more in-depth discussion of specific topics.
Digital Accessibility Champions
The DART team has reached out to college leadership to identify a network of faculty and staff leaders who will serve as key advocates and resources for their colleagues, ensuring digital content created for instruction and communication is accessible. Nominated champions will receive professional development and serve their divisions by providing updates, training and consultation.
Additional resources
- Watch for a tip of the week in each Tuesday’s Appalachian Announcements digest, as well as workshop/training notices.
- Watch previous Academic Technologies workshop recordings (sign in required).
- If you have a question about content on your website, submit a Website Support ticket (login required).
- Visit the Digital Accessibility Resources and Training (DART) initiative webpage for resources, training materials, standards and contacts. This webpage will be updated regularly as the team continues its campuswide conversations and adds new information.
Thanks again for your shared commitment to making App State more accessible and welcoming for all.