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New regulations in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require all digital assets to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. To help meet the federal deadline and to broaden compliance after it, we are launching Monarchs Accessibility Design and Practice Training (ADAPT)—self-paced, focused training on creating accessible digital content.

• Beyond the Fix: While ADAPT provides the technical how-to for remediating existing accessibility errors, its primary focus is on proactive design. By building materials accessibly from the start, we significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive, time-consuming fixes.  
• Tiered Expertise: The training is broken down into scaffolded workshops. This ensures you build a strong foundation in the Core Fundamentals before moving on to more complex document styles in the Data & Media and Specialized Tools workshop series. This progression allows you to confidently apply high-impact basics to your courses immediately while preventing overwhelm.  
• Documented Progress: You will earn mini-certificates for each workshop and a completion certificate when you finish a series of workshops. These serve as tangible evidence of professional development and commitment to student success. 

A major access hurdle is PDF accessibility. The "Specialized Tools: PDF" workshop introduces the 3Rs (Retire, Replace, Remediate), which provides a clear decision-making framework:  

• Native Formats First: We prioritize native, fluid formats (like Word, PowerPoint, or Canvas Pages) whenever possible, as they offer the highest level of accessibility with the least technical effort.  
• A Roadmap for Acceptable PDFs: We recognize that some materials require a PDF. You will learn exactly when a PDF is the appropriate choice and receive guidance on how to ensure those files are accessible. 

• Core Fundamentals: The essential building blocks for every course. 
• Data & Media: Navigating video, audio, and complex data. 
• Specialized Tools: Deep dives into PDF remediation and advanced software. 
• More workshops to come in the following months!