Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning

Whether you are developing your first learning experience or refining an existing program, OPDM can help you create learning environments that are accessible, inclusive, and effective. We partner with faculty, program directors, and academic units to incorporate accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices into courses, programs, certificates, and other learning products.

Accessibility and UDL help create learning experiences that are usable, flexible, and inclusive for a broad range of learners.

Accessibility focuses on reducing barriers that may prevent learners with disabilities from accessing content, participating in activities, or demonstrating learning. 

UDL complements accessibility by encouraging proactive design choices that support learner variability from the beginning.

By considering accessibility and UDL throughout planning, development, and revision efforts, you can improve learner experiences, reduce future remediation needs, support institutional accessibility goals, and prepare course materials to meet MSU’s accessibility expectations under ADA Title II.

OPDM provides consultation, review, and resource support across online, hybrid, and in-person learning environments.

• Areas of support include:
  • Accessible course materials
  • Document and PDF accessibility
  • Multimedia accessibility
  • Captioning and transcripts
  • Alternative text and image accessibility
  • Accessibility planning
  • Accessibility reviews
  • Ally guidance and interpretation
  • UDL implementation
  • Course-specific UDL guidance
  • Learner engagement strategies
  • Faculty and program consultations

Faculty and program teams can choose to engage with OPDM in a variety of ways depending on their goals, project scope, and timeline.

By incorporating accessibility and UDL practices, you can:

• Improve access for learners with disabilities
• Create more flexible learning experiences
• Support learner engagement and success
• Reduce remediation needs later in the development process
• Strengthen the quality and usability of learning materials
• Align with institutional accessibility expectations
• Prepare learning materials to meet MSU's ADA Title II and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility expectations before the university's April 2027 compliance deadline
   

Whether you are planning something new or improving an existing learning experience, OPDM can help you identify practical next steps.