Accessibility Checklist for Blackboard Ultra

Creating accessible Blackboard content ensures everyone can read and understand your content, including people using screen readers or other assistive technologies. Use the fast review for quick fixes, the full checklist for best practices, and the downloadable cheat sheets for step-by-step guidance.

✅ Fast Review

Quick fixes to make Blackboard content accessible.

Choose accessible textbooks: Prefer digital versions with real text, proper headings, and alt text (not scanned images).
Use Blackboard Ultra headings: Title each Document; apply Title, Header, and Sub header styles consistently.
Avoid ALL CAPS for emphasis; use bold or headings instead.
Don’t paste text as images: Keep content as real, selectable text.
Add alt text:Concise and accurate; mark decorative images as decorative.
- Tip: Use ASU’s Alt Text Generator to help draft alt text.
Ensure color contrast: Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning.
Use descriptive link text: Avoid “click here.” Indicate if a link opens in a new tab.
Make tables accessible: Data only, simple structure, set header row/column.
Caption media: Add captions for video; provide transcripts for audio; avoid autoplay.
Run quick checks: Review Ally indicators; spot-check with keyboard (Tab) and, if possible, a screen reader.

📖 Full Checklist

🧩 View the full best practices list.

Tips for Choosing Textbooks

Ensure a digital version is available.
Confirm it is tagged for accessibility (true text, headings, alt text; not scanned pages).
If using publisher tools (MyLab, McGraw Hill, Cengage), request accessibility statements or VPATs.

Blackboard Ultra Documents

Title each Document at the top (placeholder field).
Structure with the editor’s Text Style:
- Title for each main section (one per section).
- Header for subsections.
- Sub header for deeper levels.
Keep a consistent hierarchy.
Use 12 pt or larger body text; use bold/italics for emphasis (reserve underlines for links).
Use the editor’s List button (don’t type bullets/numbers manually).

Images and Alternative Text

Add concise, accurate alt text (aim for ≤ 120 characters or 2–3 sentences where appropriate).
Avoid “image of…” in alt text.
Provide longer descriptions near complex images (charts, graphs, infographics).
Mark decorative images as decorative.

Color, Contrast, and Meaning

Don’t use color alone to convey meaning; reinforce with text, labels, or symbols.
Use a trusted contrast checker (e.g., Silktide Accessibility Checker, WebAIM Contrast Checker) to confirm adequate contrast.

Tables

Use tables only for data (not layout).
Build tables with the editor (not pasted images).
Set Header Row and Header Column where appropriate.
Keep structures simple; avoid merged/blank cells.

Document Attachments and Multimedia

Ensure attached Office files (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) are accessible(headings, alt text, etc.).
- Note: Ally does not check Excel files — review manually.
Caption all videos (auto-generate then edit for accuracy); provide transcripts for audio; avoid autoplay.

PDFs — Apply the “Four R’s”

Remove outdated/scanned/unnecessary PDFs.
Replace with:
- Permalinks to library/external content.
- Accessible versions from the publisher.
- Alternative formats (accessible Word/PowerPoint).
Share the original, editable format when possible.
Remediate only when necessary using Acrobat Pro.
Get it Right the first time!

Additional PDF Guidelines

Export as an accessible PDF (use “Save as PDF,” not “Print to PDF”).
If scanned, use OCR and optionally Ally’s Alternative Formats as a temporary aid (note: original remains inaccessible and affects Ally score).
When sharing from databases, use permalinks rather than uploading files.

Accessibility Testing

Ally Course Report & indicators: Review red/yellow items and fix issues.
Silktide (Chrome extension): Spot-check headings, alt text, contrast, and screen-reader preview.
Keyboard navigation: Use Tab/Arrow keys to verify mouse-free access and visible focus.
Screen reader (optional): Try NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (macOS) for a brief read-through.

Optional: Accessible STEM Content

Prefer MathML or LaTeX for equations where possible.
Avoid images of math unless paired with accurate text descriptions.

⚡ Quick Verification

Easy tools to double-check your work.

Run Ally Course Accessibility Report and fix flagged items.
Confirm document and content area headings are unique and descriptive.
Tab through content to check focus order and navigation visibility.
Verify images have alt text or are marked decorative.
Confirm color contrast meets accessibility standards.
Check links are descriptive and match their destination.
Review attached Word, PDF, and PowerPoint files with Ally feedback.

📎 Cheatsheet Downloads

Step-by-step instructions with visuals and keyboard shortcuts.