Accessibility Before Accommodation: A Three-Part Series on Creating, Procuring, and Selecting Accessible Educational Materials

Teachers working together on a desktop computer. — Image licensed from Adobe Stock

Creating accessible learning experiences requires more than understanding the need to make individual documents accessible. It means building accessibility into the everyday decisions that shape what students engage with in the classroom.

Join NCADEMI for a three-part virtual learning series exploring accessibility across the lifecycle of digital educational materials, from the resources educators create and select themselves to the materials and learning technologies states and schools purchase.

This series emphasizes the importance of considering accessibility before materials reach students rather than after a student encounters a barrier. Attendees will learn strategies and find tools to proactively embed accessibility into everyday practice and instruction. They will also explore how individual actions connect to broader accessibility systems.

Dates & Time

Webinar 1: October 13, 2026, 3:00 — 3:50pm ET
Webinar 2: November 10, 2026, 3:00 — 3:50pm ET
Webinar 3: December 8, 2026, 3:00 — 3:50pm ET

Webinars

Webinar 1: Creating Accessible Materials from the Start

Educators create digital materials every day, from documents and presentations to worksheets and other instructional resources. This session will introduce ready-to-use strategies for building accessibility into the creation process from the start. Participants will explore foundational accessibility practices, common barriers for students with disabilities, and strategies that can help make accessible content creation part of everyday practice.

This session has already occurred. Watch the recording.

Webinar 2: Embedding Accessibility into Procurement

Purchasing and use decisions are often made long before a digital tool reaches the classroom. This session will explore how states, districts, and schools can incorporate accessibility throughout their procurement process. Participants will learn effective strategies for evaluating products, communicating accessibility expectations to vendors, and strengthening procurement practices so accessibility is considered from the beginning.

Webinar 3: Selecting Resources with Accessibility in Mind

Not every instructional resource goes through a formal procurement process. Educators routinely select websites, videos, digital activities, and other resources for immediate classroom use. This session will explore applicable ways to consider accessibility when choosing these materials. Participants will learn how to recognize potential barriers, conduct efficient accessibility checks, and make more informed decisions before sharing resources with students.

Who Should Attend?

Individuals and teams who are:

interested in digital accessibility in education
responsible for leading accessibility improvements at their agency or school
beginning accessibility work
making improvements and seeking new resources

Prepare for the Series

This series builds on NCADEMI’s April 2026 webinar, Digital Accessibility Starts with the Tools We Use. To prepare, review the recording and consider how the practices and considerations shared relate to the tools and materials you are currently creating, selecting, or using.

Facilitators

Christopher Phillips, Technical Assistance Specialist
Rob Carr, Digital Accessibility Specialist
Lyssa Prince, Technical Assistance Specialist
Jena Fahlbush, Technical Assistance Specialist