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Contact Us
Office of Accessibility and Compliance
Rocket Hall 1820
419.530.4981
StudentDisability@utoledo.edu
Students
Accessible learning supports your success in any course format—online, hybrid, or in person. This page provides practical tips, tools, and support pathways so you can complete coursework accessibly, use assistive technology effectively, request accommodations, and get help quickly when barriers occur. Review the Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources Student Handbook for more details and information.
Tips for creating accessible papers and presentations:
- Use your instructor’s accessible template when possible.
- Use the built-in headings, font styles, bullets, and lists in Word/Google Docs and keep them in a clear, outlined hierarchy.
- Provide a short alternative text description of what images, charts, and diagrams in your content communicate.
- Use consistent text-based citation formatting (APA/MLA/Chicago) through the paragraph tool.
- Use descriptive links instead of raw URLs when citing online sources.
- Keep high contrast between text and background.
- Choose simple and adequate-sized fonts, such as:
- Those in MLA, APA, etc. formatting.
- Presentations should contain 24 pt or larger text in the body; 32 pt or larger for titles.
- Avoid large blocks of text in presentation slides; use short phrases and speaker notes when allowed.
Tip: Run the built-in Accessibility Checker in Word, PowerPoint, or your PDF program before submitting your work!
Assistive technology tools
Keyboard navigation, shortcuts, and screen readers help you access digital text, websites, documents, and LMS content.
Follow these tips when navigating online content, documents, and media:
- Use keyboard shortcuts to jump between sections and navigate through links, buttons, or lists.
- Consider using one of Blackboard Ally’s Alternative Formats for content.
- Contact your instructor if you believe something is out of order.
- Turn on captions and use transcripts to help you study.
- Contact your instructor to report issues with content, online documents, and inaccurate or missing captions/transcripts.
Obtaining accommodations and support
Steps to obtain accommodation.
- Complete our online New Student Application
- Submit documentation from your high school, another institution of higher education,
and/or health care provider or other professionals, which verifies medical condition(s)
and explains disability barriers to the educational experience
- Although many different types of disability related documentation may be acceptable, for your convenience you may ask your health care provider to complete our disability verification form.
- Please see ADR Documentation Guidelines for additional information.
- An email will be sent to your Rockets account once information you submit has been reviewed so please check your Rockets email.
- Since your input is critical, you must complete a disability access initial appointment with an ADR Accessibility Specialist to set up accommodations and receive training on the procedures for utilizing the accommodations. Once accommodations have been established, you will select the appropriate accommodation for each class for which you are enrolled through ADR’s online system.
Support and self-advocacy
You have the right to equal access. Communicate specific issues about any accessibility barriers you encounter, including suggestions for improvements, reach out to the Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources for additional support, and keep records of your correspondence and encounters.