April 2026 Academic Technology Newsletter
Accessibility Edition

This month’s newsletter is chock full of tips, resources, and more to help you make the changes to the ADA.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is changing The revised ADA will incorporate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. What does that mean? Think of it like a checklist. The ADA will now have a list of specific, measurable accessibility requirements for digital content. The deadline has been extended to April 24, 2027. ADA Title II Update.

Two steps you can take right now to quickly improve the accessibility of your courses: Check your Course Accessibility Report in Canvas (in the course menu), and Caption your videos.

We're also excited to share a new list of AI trainings, and the results of the CSU-wide AI survey. For workshops, there's Developing an Ethical AI Curriculum Framework hosted by Dr. Carmen Saunders-Russell; Staying Human in the Age of AI hosted by Dr. Ellie Kazemi; Moving Your Grades to SOLAR and more.

In early summer, Academic Technology is forming a faculty group for AI power users, colleagues who have moved beyond the basics and are actively experimenting, building, and integrating AI into their teaching, research, or professional practice. Interested in joining? We would love to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete the Advanced AI Interest Form.

Don't forget about Digital Equity Day on Wednesday, April 29th!

Join us for CSUN's Digital Equity Day 2026 on Wednesday, April 29th. This event features a welcome from President Dr. Erika Beck and Provost Dr. Meera Komarraju, a Keynote from Jenny Nguyen, the 2025-2026 Doctoral Student Fellow in Academic Technology, on faculty perceptions of GenAI, and a presentation by Prof. Ellen Stohl on the ethics of AI. 

In 2024, the Department of Justice issued revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The revisions were set to take effect on April 24, 2026. On April 20, 2026, the Department of Justice gave everyone a one-year extension. The revisions now take effect on April 24, 2027. So act now and make sure your course materials accessible.

What steps should you take now and through the summer to make your Fall 2026 course materials more accessible? With ADA revisions taking effect April 2027, CSUN faculty can use the summer to update Fall 2026 course materials. 

What will have the biggest impact for your students while making the most efficient use of your time? Accessibility can be daunting. Make a commitment that, starting today, all new content you create or add will be accessible. Here are the top 5 steps.

Can you fix a PDF with one click? Well, almost. The CSU has a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to make PDFs more accessible: CSU PDF Accessibility Remediation. Easy to use, you feed the tool your PDF and download the “processed” results. 

Written by Dr. Joyce Marie Brusasco. The ATI conference highlighted that accessibility is more than a checkbox; it's a powerful opportunity to design inclusive learning environments. By embracing new tools and shared insights, we can ensure every student thrives. 

Computers speak their own languages, but computer-ese can compound accessibility issues. Some simple steps that rely on you as the subject matter expert can help your students.

Creating accessible tables involves simplifying the layout, using header rows, and providing clear descriptions. Good contrast, readable text, and proper structure help ensure the table is inclusive and easy to navigate.

Canvas is only part of the picture. How might you know if a software tool or website is accessible? The Universal Design Center recommends the WAVE browser extension as your first step to check.

The Universal Design Center (UDC) developed a workshop specifically for academic support staff and launched it in summer 2025 with four sessions. The initiative yielded positive results, contributing to measurable improvements in accessibility scores across participating departments.

AI is reshaping education, and the California State University is leading the charge. A new report, “Ahead of the Curve,” presents findings from a 2025 survey drawing on responses from nearly 100,000 students, faculty, and staff. Explore the nation’s most comprehensive dataset on how higher ed perceives, uses, and adapts to the AI revolution.

CSUN has been awarded the Adobe for All grant through a collaborative partnership between the First-Year Writing Program, Faculty Development, and Academic Technology. Integrating Adobe Express in teaching and learning, will encourage faculty and students to move beyond traditional essays to include digital storytelling, visual rhetoric, and creative expression.  

A new CSUN AI Training and Workshops page is now live, serving as a single place for faculty, staff, and students to find upcoming AI trainings and workshops offered across the institution. Each offering includes a brief description, intended audience, hosting unit, timing, and how to participate, making it easier to discover and share relevant AI learning opportunities campus‑wide.

The update to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II takes effect on April 24, 2027! The Chancellor’s Office and our own Universal Design Center offer a variety of resources to help you reach your accessibility goals. Accessibility Made Easier: New Tools & April Workshops

This workshop for faculty will be led by a CSU faculty member. Bring your questions about accessibility; share and learn from your colleagues.

Find more professional development opportunities on the Academic Technology workshop calendar. Can't make it to a workshop? Book an appointment with one of our team members.

Hosted by Avo Topjian

Are you ready to eliminate grading confusion and frustration with just a few clicks? Join us for this workshop where we’ll unveil the secrets to a flawless Gradebook setup in Canvas! What’s in it for you? Navigate the nuances of assignment and quiz point values.  Save time and headaches for both you and your students

Hosted by Dr. Carmen Saunders-Russell

Begin constructing a structured, scalable framework for integrating AI literacy and ethics into your curriculum. This workshop guides you through aligning student learning outcomes, assessment strategies, and ethical reasoning to prepare students for AI Literacy expectations in today’s workforce.

Hosted by Dr. Ellie Kazemi

This spring, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) continues its college-wide exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Extended Reality (VXR) in education and social services. Supported by Dean Searcy and led by Dr. Ellie Kazemi (Department of Psychology), this series creates an open space for thoughtful, critical conversation about how these technologies are shaping our classrooms, disciplines, and daily work.

Hosted by Herbert Serrano

Did you know there is a faster way to record your final grades in the Portal? If you’re grappling with the challenge of managing multiple large classes, the task of recording final grades might feel like a daunting and time-consuming endeavor. However, there is a method to streamline this process, offering you a chance to significantly reduce the time invested. Join us to learn how to easily import your final grades into the Portal.

Share topics you would like to see covered in a future newsletter, give us feedback on your experience with instructional technology, or let us know of workshop resources you are interested in with the Academic Technology Feedback Form.

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