Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA)
Accessible Course Creation Academy (Spring 2025)
The ARC Accessible Course Creation Academy (ACCA) guides participants with creating accessible course content in their own courses. This is not a Canvas training.
Duration: 4-week course
Time Commitment: approximately 6-10 hours per week (reading, online discussions, and assignment)
Course Description
This completely online course provides a thorough explanation of accessibility within online, hybrid or web-enhanced courses. It focuses on the skills instructors need to make their courses compliant with Federal laws (ADA and Section 508 standards), technologically accessible, and culturally responsive for a broad range of students. The course covers how to use online tools, including Canvas–our course management system (CMS), to create accessible resources, retrofit existing resources, and curate new resources through exploration and hands-on demonstrations of effective practices in accessibility. The focal point of the course is learning how to use editors (both in Canvas and in common software, such as Microsoft Word) to enhance accessibility. In addition to creating an overarching accessibility plan for their courses, instructors learn how to:
- Create accessible content pages, discussions, and assignments in Canvas;
- Create accessible documents, such as Word and PDFs;
- Create closed-captions for videos.
ACCA is composed of six modules and is taught entirely online. While the ACCA is taught within Canvas affording opportunities for participants to learn and use the different tools and functions for future classes, this is not a Canvas training class. Participants are required to either have attended a Canvas Basics (3-hour) workshop within the last six months, completed Foundations 1.0, or be currently using Canvas in their courses, BEFORE attending ANY of the Accessible Course Creation Academy sessions.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Define accessibility and explain the pertinent Federal, State, and District requirements
- Explain the purpose of creating accessible content
- Identify barriers to access
- Explain the assistive technology/design techniques needed to overcome barriers
- List campus resources available to assist you and your students with accessibility issues
- Create accessible content within your Canvas courses
- Create accessible documents using Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and/or PDF
- Evaluate multimedia content for accessibility
- Caption video
- Check curated resources for accessibility using online tools
- Develop a comprehensive plan for creating an accessible online course
ACCA Prerequisites and Enrollment Requirements
- Participants must have attended a Canvas training within the last six months, completed an alternative professional development activity such as the Los Rios Foundations of Canvas Course Design, 3CSN Canvas 101 & 102 courses, or the @One Introduction to Teaching with Canvas – Self-Paced; or be currently using Canvas in your courses BEFORE beginning the Accessible Course Creation Academy.
- You must know how to use Canvas and how to utilize the Canvas tools to create effective accessible online content!
Technical Requirements
- Access to a PC or Mac with a current operating system.
- Current version of a browser.
- Internet connection, preferably broadband.
- Built-in or external webcam
- USB microphone
Recommended Skills
- Proficient computer skills (use of word processor, e-mail, file management)
- Proficient Internet skills (use of browsers, searches, uploading and downloading files)
- Familiarity with discussion boards
- Experience in an online learning environment as either a student or instructor
Technical Requirements
- Access to a PC or Mac with a current operating system
- Current version of a browser
- Internet connection, preferably broadband (DSL speeds)
- Built-in or external webcam
- USB microphone
Requirements for Completion
To receive the certificate of completion, you must complete all of the following:
- Participation in all required discussions.
- Completion of all assigned activities and exercises throughout all six modules.
Certificates will be issued for completion of the entire Academy.
Spring 2025 Schedule
American River College Spring ACCA is scheduled from TBA
| Session | Start Date | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Orientation, What is Accessibility | |
| Session 2 | Accessible Web and Canvas Design | |
| Session 3 | Accessible Document Design | |
| Session 4 | Accessible Online Media and Video |
- Complete all activities by:
For other Foundations 2.0 options, please check this Los Rios Foundations 2.0 webpage.
Foundations 2.0 Training Compensation
This Institute can be used to fulfill the Foundations 2.0 opportunities for Faculty Professional Development, and welcomes all LRCCD employees who meet the enrollment requirements. In this program, faculty can choose from two compensation options: earning units for class salary advancement or accruing college service hours, if eligible. Visit the LRCCD Foundations 2.0 Program page for more information on compensation.
Additional Notes
Priority will be given to ARC employees who have not completed a previous ACCA and who are scheduled to teach online at ARC.
Incomplete Policy
Participants may request an incomplete in the ACCA if they have met the attendance requirements and have finished at least 60% of the work. Incomplete work must be finished within one year, or the entire Academy must be repeated.
Register for ACCA
Spring 2025 registration TBA
Questions About ACCA?
If you have any questions about ACCA, don’t hesitate to contact the ITC at ITCtraining@arc.losrios.edu or you can email our Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator, Lori Hokerson, at hokersl@arc.losrios.edu.
