Third-Party Instructional Materials

Evaluating Publisher Materials for Digital Accessibility

When adopting textbooks and/or publisher instructional materials for your courses, it’s essential to ensure that these resources meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility standards. While accessibility is a shared responsibility and publishers should design their tools with digital accessibility in mind, faculty play a key role in selecting materials that meet accessibility standards. Below are key areas to review before adopting publisher materials for your course.

Faculty Role and Responsibility

Faculty have a key role in accessibility because they choose the materials used in their courses. While bookstores and publishers can provide accessible versions, they may not know what is being adopted or when. Timely adoption allows accessibility teams to request alternate formats or verify compatibility with screen readers and other assistive tools. Currently, APSU has issued a textbook adoption deadline of [insert date or policy reference].

Instructors also know the materials being used and understand the pedagogical context. This insight is essential for determining whether the format meets student needs. Accessibility isn’t always obvious or easy to verify, so instructors are encouraged to seek support from the 504/ADA Coordinator, Distance Education Office, or Academic Affairs for assistance in evaluating digital platforms and ensuring that interactive content is navigable.

Finally, shared responsibility doesn’t mean equal responsibility. Publishers must produce accessible content, bookstores distribute it, and instructors serve as the gatekeepers of what enters their classrooms. Awareness and timely action help ensure equitable access for all students.

Accessibility Documentation

Ask the publisher for a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or accessibility conformance report. VPATs show how well their products meet WCAG and Section 508 standards. Here is a publicly available example VPAT for Panorama (opens new window).

If the publisher supplies a VPAT, make sure the report is recent (within the last 2–3 years) and covers all materials you plan to use (e.g., e-textbooks, homework systems, videos, or learning management systems).

Device and Browser Compatibility

Confirm that the content you plan to adopt works across devices and browsers. Materials should be responsive and accessible on mobile devices and avoid products that require inaccessible plug-ins or outdated software such as Adobe Flash.

Student Support

Ask whether the publisher offers an accessibility support contact or a clear process for students to request alternative formats (such as EPUB, large print, or tagged PDFs).

Delays in providing accessible versions can create gaps early in the term.

Institutional Review

Ask your publisher representative for example instructional materials and test them out for accessibility yourself. When in doubt, contact your university’s Distance Education or Accessibility Services office for help reviewing materials. A quick test using a screen reader or keyboard-only navigation can identify major barriers before students encounter them.