Classroom & Webinar Courses

These sessions are offered by Academic Innovation.  A beginner and intermediate course is offered. Please check descriptions below and register for the individual sessions.

PDF Accessibility Foundations: Scanned PDFs and Accessibility Basics, Offered 12/1/2026 and4/6/2027

Not all PDFs are created equal! In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn what makes a PDF accessible, how to identify common barriers to access, and why scanned PDFs can present challenges for users of assistive technologies. Through guided practice and real-world examples, attendees will gain the foundational knowledge needed to create and save PDFs that are more accessible from the start.

Advanced PDF Accessibility Skills, Offered 12/10/2026 and 4/20/2027

Ready to take your PDF accessibility skills to the next level? In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to assess PDF documents for accessibility, identify common issues, and use available tools to make improvements. Through guided practice with sample PDFs, attendees will gain confidence evaluating documents and addressing common accessibility barriers.

These sessions are offered by Academic Innovation.  A beginner and intermediate course is offered. Please check descriptions below and register for the individual sessions.

PowerPoint Accessibility Foundations: Creating Accessible PowerPoint Presentations

Create presentations that are engaging, inclusive, and accessible from the start. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the foundational principles of PowerPoint accessibility, including slide structure, reading order, color contrast, image descriptions, and accessibility checking tools. Attendees will work directly in PowerPoint using sample presentations, gaining practical experience creating slides that are easier for everyone to access and understand.

 Advanced PowerPoint Accessibility: Harnessing the Power of Master Slides

Why fix accessibility issues slide by slide when you can build accessibility into your presentation from the start? In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to leverage PowerPoint master slides to create presentations that are more consistent, easier to maintain, and more accessible for all audiences. Through guided practice, attendees will gain practical experience applying accessibility best practices at scale.

Alternative text is one of the most important tools for making digital content accessible, but knowing what to write—and when—can be challenging. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to create effective alt text for both simple and complex images, determine when images should be marked as decorative, and explore how AI tools can support the process. Through examples and guided practice, attendees will build confidence writing, evaluating, and refining image descriptions that enhance access and understanding.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training

These sessions are offered by Academic Innovation.  A beginner and intermediate course is offered. Please check descriptions below and register for the individual sessions.

Word Accessibility Basics: Creating Accessible Word Documents, Offered 9/1/2026 and 2/2/2027

Start strong with the basics! This interactive, hands-on session focuses on simple, high-impact techniques to make your Word documents accessible to all learners from the start, no retrofitting needed. Participants will follow along in Microsoft Word and practice using accessibility features with provided demonstration documents, so come ready to apply what you learn in real time.

Intermediate Word Accessibility: Making Existing Word Documents Accessible, Offered 9/15/2026 and 2/16/2027

 Have an existing Word document that needs accessibility improvements? In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to identify and fix common accessibility barriers in pre-existing documents, including issues with structure, images, tables, and formatting. Participants will work directly in Word using sample documents, gaining practical experience remediating content and creating a more accessible experience for all users.

Join the Digital Accessibility Team for an open drop-in and co-working session focused on improving the accessibility of your digital content. This is an informal work session with individualized support available throughout. Stop by with a question, stay and work alongside colleagues, or use the time to make progress on your accessibility to-do list while building momentum for your digital accessibility efforts related to ADA Title II compliance.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training

This session will introduce participants to CourseArc as a tool for creating accessible, engaging learning content. Participants will explore core features, build a basic lesson, and understand when CourseArc is most effective within a course.

 Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training

This training includes hands-on activities. Please submit a CourseArc Access Request Form prior to attending so you can actively follow along.

This session focuses on helping participants use CourseArc to design interactive, accessible learning experiences. Participants will explore engagement strategies and apply accessibility principles through purposeful interactions.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training

Join us for an exciting session of our Between the Lines book talk featuring Flower Darby, the author of The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous Classes. This book provides practical guidance for making distance learning infinitely more enjoyable and effective, and for improving the online teaching experience in asynchronous classes that often take place in Learning Management Systems (LMSs) like Canvas. Flower will sit down with Penny MacCormack, Ed.D., ACUE’s Founding Chief Academic Officer, to discuss her book and the tools she uses to address this challenge. Don't miss this chance to engage directly with one of the leading voices in online learning!

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.

This session introduces the ACUE Commons as a collaborative faculty hub designed to support effective, evidence‑based teaching. Participants will explore Commons features, membership benefits, Quick Studies, and endorsements and learn how to leverage on-demand resources and community engagement to enhance course design, student learning, and emerging instructional practices.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.

 This session provides a clear, practical overview of ADA Title II and what it means for your teaching at UT San Antonio. We’ll walk through a simple Faculty Accessibility Action Plan to help you prioritize high-impact improvements and share campus tools that make the work manageable. Leave with clear next steps and the confidence to start improving access right away.

This session provides a clear, practical overview of ADA Title II and what it means for your teaching at UT San Antonio. We’ll walk through a simple Faculty Accessibility Action Plan to help you prioritize high-impact improvements and share campus tools that make the work manageable. Leave with clear next steps and the confidence to start improving access right away.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training

Course Objectives: Explain the basic expectations of ADA Title II for digital course materials.

Prioritize high-impact accessibility improvements using the Faculty Accessibility Action Plan.

Use campus tools and supports to begin addressing accessibility in their own courses

Target Audience: Graduate School Staff

Course Description: This session provides a clear, practical overview of ADA Title II and what it means for your teaching at UT San Antonio. We’ll walk through a simple Faculty Accessibility Action Plan to help you prioritize high-impact improvements and share campus tools that make the work manageable. Leave with clear next steps and the confidence to start improving access right away.

Course Objectives: Explain the basic expectations of ADA Title II for digital course materials.
Prioritize high-impact accessibility improvements using the Faculty Accessibility Action Plan.
Use campus tools and supports to begin addressing accessibility in their own courses

Course Description: Accessibility progress doesn’t require perfection, it starts with addressing accessibility barriers strategically. In this fast-paced session, you’ll get a brief ADA Title II update and learn practical, easy-to-implement, actionable steps that improve the accessibility of your course.

The HCAP Pedagogical Engagement Academy is a yearlong, expert-led series of interactive hybrid workshops that equips faculty with teaching strategies for future-ready teaching to strengthen student engagement, collaboration, and career preparation across disciplines.

2/13/26: Interdisciplinary Instruction and Mentoring
Interdisciplinary teaching and mentoring offer powerful opportunities and innovation. This panel brings together faculty who mentor and teach students from multiple programs to discuss commonalities, share collaboration strategies, and highlight approaches that engage learners. Attendees will leave with adaptable ideas for supporting student success and meaningful skill integration in interdisciplinary settings. Panelist: Chia Hsu, PhD, Forrest Daniels, D.Sc, Raymond Swisher, PhD

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.
Course Objectives: Identify common challenges when teaching or mentoring students from multiple programs or disciplines.
Share practical approaches faculty currently use to help students “meet in the middle” and succeed in interdisciplinary learning environments.
Demonstrate practical teaching and mentoring approaches that engage students from diverse disciplines and help them integrate their skills in meaningful, practice‑based ways.

Course Description: Explore the powerful accessibility tools in Canvas and Ally to create an accessible learning experience for all students. Learn how to identify and address accessibility barriers with Ally, while also utilizing Canvas’s built-in features to enhance your course content. Walk away with practical skills to make your courses accessible and engaging for everyone.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.

Course Objectives: Participants will be able to locate Canvas’s built-in accessibility checker to identify accessibility issues within their Canvas courses.
Participants will be able to use Canvas’s built-in accessibility checker to address common accessibility issues within their Canvas courses.
Participants will be able to locate Ally’s Course Accessibility Report to identify common accessibility barriers in course content.
Participants will be able to utilize Ally’s Course Accessibility Report and accessibility gauges to resolve common accessibility barriers effectively.

Contact Person: Mychelle Hadley

Contact Person Email: mychelle.hadley@utsa.edu

Course Description: Thinking about using publisher content in Canvas? Join us for a walkthrough of commonly used methods to include publisher content in Canvas.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.

Course Objectives: After attending this course, faculty will be able:
1. Evaluate the uses of publisher content in your course.
2. Determine the best way to deploy the content from their chosen publisher into Canvas.
3. Build a module, assignment or link to a publisher's system inside of Canvas.

Target Audience: Faculty and TA's

Enrollment Type: Open (Anyone can enroll)

Course Description: Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement while monitoring their progress in your course? Join us to learn more about how to use tools within Canvas to assess student learning across all coursework, and how you can use this information to make data-driven decisions using New Analytics.

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.

Course Objectives: 

1. Identify currently used methods to increase student engagement in your course.
2. Plan ways to monitor the student progress in your course.
3. Use tools within Canvas to assess student learning across all coursework
4. Review Canvas' New Analytics data. 

Target Audience: Faculty and TA's

Enrollment Type: Open (Anyone can enroll)

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the "Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence"! We will explore innovative ways to integrate AI tools into the classroom, enhancing teaching and learning experiences. Our panelists from HCAP will discuss ethical considerations and share best practices to ensure the responsible and effective use of AI in learning. We look forward to an insightful and inspiring conversation with you!

Creating an effective learning environment for all is important to us. To request an accommodation, please email DigitalAccessibility@utsa.edu one week prior to your scheduled training.
Course Objectives: Identify various AI tools and applications that can be integrated into classroom settings to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Develop strategies for effectively implementing AI tools in their teaching practices, ensuring they align with educational goals and improve student engagement and outcomes. Discuss the ethical considerations and best practices associated with using AI in education.

This training provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the Gradescope Bubble Sheets workflow, from creating answer keys to uploading and grading completed exams. Participants will learn how to scan and submit bubble sheets for automated grading, evaluate results, and resolve grading exceptions. This training supports UTSA’s transition from ParScore/Scantron to Gradescope Bubble Sheets, beginning Summer 2025.

This one-hour session is designed to provide faculty with timely updates and hands-on support for using Simple Syllabus. The first portion of the session will include a brief overview of recent updates, upcoming changes, and recommended best practices, including accessibility considerations. The remainder of the session will function as an open support hour, where faculty are encouraged to bring their syllabus content or questions for live assistance. 

Participants may drop in at any time during the session. 

What to bring: Your syllabus content, questions, or any specific areas where you would like assistance.