Faculty Need Training, Time, and Tools to Make Course Content Accessible, Survey Finds
In a recent survey by Anthology, only one in five faculty (22%) said they consistently consider accessibility when designing course materials. And just 11% felt they had the right tools and training to create accessible course content.
For its 2025 Faculty Survey, the education technology company polled 2,509 instructors about their accessibility practices. While 76% of respondents agreed that accessibility improves student learning, many face barriers when it comes to creating content that meets learners' needs.
Top challenges for faculty included:
- Lack of training (cited by 29% of respondents);
- Lack of time (28%); and
- Limited knowledge of available tools (27%).
When asked what resources would help faculty make course content more accessible, their wish list included:
- More training on accessibility best practices (cited by 26% of respondents);
- Time to update and review course materials (23%);
- Content audits to flag issues (22%); and
- Clearer institution-wide policies and standards (20%).
"This data sends a clear message: Faculty care about accessibility, but they need help," commented Dr. Amy Lomellini, director of accessibility at Anthology, in a statement. "The findings reveal a powerful opportunity for institutions to support their faculty and improve learning experiences for their students. All learners benefit from content designed following accessibility best practices."
For more survey findings, visit the Anthology site.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].