Instructional materials are items such as books, journal articles and other print material, digital video and audio, computer software, simulations, and other digital content that are used as part of the instructional process. While the format of instructional materials has evolved and will continue to change, the purpose remains the same: Instructional materials and media remain the primary tool that instructors use to convey concepts, topics, and information to scaffold student learning in conjunction with well-aligned learning objectives, activities, and assessments.
UW Resources Inclusive Material Guide Create Your Own Material
Inclusive Material Guide
Inclusive material refers to content, resources, or media that are intentionally created to accommodate a diverse range of identities, perspectives, and abilities, fostering a sense of belonging and representation for all individuals. Universal design is an approach to creating course content, and systems that are accessible and usable by people of diverse abilities, without the need for specialized adaptations or modifications. Below you’ll find guidance on creating inclusive instructional material for your courses.
Visuals and Text
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Color
- Use colors with high contrast between text and background
- Do not use color as a sole mean of conveying information
- Avoid color combinations like yellow and blue or green and red, as these may pose challenges for color-blind individuals
Images
- Add alt text to describe images
- Be mindful of diversity when including images (gender, race, age, etc.)
Font
- Use 18pt font or larger
- Use easy to read san serif fonts (e.g. Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Red Hat Display and Text)
- Make links easily identifiable with color and underlines, and describe where the link is going instead of just “click here”
Language
Slide and Content Structure
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Slides and Handouts
- Use unique slide titles so slides are searchable and can be identified with a screen reader
- Use the document styles for headings and paragraphs
- Make links easily identifiable with color and underlines, and describe where the link is going instead of just “click here:
- Identify headings and cell data in tables so users are able to follow along with assistive technology
Videos
- Use action safe and title safe areas when creating videos and presentations
- Avoid distracting transitions and animations