Dear Colleagues:
As we continue preparing for compliance with the updated Department of Justice digital accessibility standards, we would like to highlight resources available to support your accessibility efforts.
As previously communicated, the Department of Justice has extended Purdue Northwest’s compliance deadline to April 26, 2027.
The following Purdue and PNW resources provide tools, training and practical guidance for creating accessible digital content.
YuJa Panorama
YuJa Panorama is a digital accessibility platform integrated with Brightspace that can help instructors identify and improve accessibility issues in course materials. Panorama scans documents and Brightspace content, provides guidance for addressing accessibility concerns and offers alternative formats for users.
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Visit the Purdue Innovative Learning Accessibility webpage for information about YuJa Panorama and additional accessibility resources.
Accessibility at Purdue online course
The Purdue University Ethics and Compliance Training Library includes an Accessibility at Purdue online course that introduces the fundamentals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and digital accessibility.
How to access the course:
- Log in to SuccessFactors.
- Select the My Learning Quick Action tile.
- Search for Accessibility at Purdue.
Course information
The course explains key ADA provisions as they relate to making education, employment, services and activities accessible to all. It also addresses respectful interactions with individuals with disabilities and identifies University resources for employees, students and visitors seeking assistance or reasonable accommodations.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of the ADA and how Titles I and II apply to employment and public programs at Purdue.
- Identify criteria that define a disability under the ADA, including examples of protected and non-protected conditions.
- Demonstrate respectful disability etiquette in everyday interactions, including appropriate use of person-first and identity-first language.
- Apply WCAG 2.1 AA principles—perceivable, operable, understandable and robust—to create accessible digital content.
- Locate Purdue resources for requesting accommodations, reporting access issues and filing complaints based on role and campus.
Accessibility checklist and guidance
The ADA Title II Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provides an Accessibility Checklist. This checklist offers practical guidance for creating accessible instructional materials, including documents, presentations, images, charts and tables.
Additional resources are available through Accessibility at PNW
and Purdue University’s Electronic Information, Communication and Technology Accessibility Standard (S-5). These resources offer guidance on accessibility requirements, policy and best practices for creating and utilizing digital materials.
Microsoft accessibility training
Microsoft Learn provides free online training opportunities. The “Create Accessible Content” module, located here, provides helpful tips on how to:
- Use the Accessibility Checker in Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Apply headings in Word and Outlook and titles in PowerPoint.
- Create accessible images.
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and backgrounds.
- Add captions in PowerPoint.
The University is committed to ensuring that instructional materials and digital content are accessible. We appreciate your continued efforts to create digital content that is accessible to everyone.
Sincerely,
