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Digital Accessibility for Planners: Documents - Part 1

By the end of this course, planners will be able to address common access barriers in documents they produce. The first course will provide an introduction to the topic and initial skills, while the second course will dive into more "advanced" skills.

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Course Info

  • Duration 19 video lessons (102 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2026
  • Trending Trending
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
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    2.
    Agenda and Framing
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    3.
    Meet Your Presenters
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    4.
    What are disability and accessibility?
    Chapter Duration 20 mins
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    5.
    Accessibility is the law
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
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    6.
    Broad Tips Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
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    7.
    Broad Tip 1 – Allow for Printing
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    8.
    Broad Tip 2 – Reduce PDFs
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
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    9.
    Broad Tip 3 – Use Plain Language
    Chapter Duration 12 mins
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    10.
    Broad Tip 4 – Be Consistent in Your Format
    Chapter Duration 1 min
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    11.
    Beginning Tips Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
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    12.
    Using programmatic structures
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
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    13.
    Keep Text as Text
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    14.
    Check Reading Order
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    15.
    Using Color Well
    Chapter Duration 10 mins
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    16.
    Fonts
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    17.
    Images and Alternative Text
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
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    18.
    Accessible Links
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
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    19.
    Coming Next
    Chapter Duration 1 min

What You Will Learn

Understand digital accessibility and how it applies to planning 

Understand how people with disabilities use documents 

Understand how accessibility benefits all constituents and employees 

Learn broad approaches to keeping documents accessible 

Learn specific techniques to make memos, agendas, forms, and flyers accessible 

Acquire practical examples of accessibility in action in planning documents

Course Description

In this two-part course series, we will demonstrate key techniques planners can use to make the documents they encounter and produce every day accessible and compliant with legally required standards. Examples include memos, reports, plans, forms and agendas. This course will also focus on common document software such as Word, Acrobat and PowerPoint. Specific points of focus will include using document structures to enhance accessibility; text alternatives for visual information, such as maps and charts; creating presentations that can be viewed and used by all; and why not to use "silver bullet solutions" such as AI, and what to do instead. By the end of this course, planners will be able to address common access barriers in documents they produce. Throughout the course, we will provide accessible examples from planning initiatives across the United States. The first course will provide an introduction to the topic and initial skills, while the second course will provide more "advanced" skills.

Learn these skills

  • Accessibility
  • Communications & Media
  • Data Visualization
  • Technology
  • Video & Multimedia
  • Writing

AICP CM

AIA CES

This course is 1.5 LU.

Meet Your Instructor

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel is an autistic planner, an independent accessibility consultant, and the founder of Opossum House Accessibility. He holds a decade of experience in ensuring compliance with accessibility regulations and helping public and private organizations include and support people with disabilities.

Meet Instructor
Thomas Hamed

Thomas Hamed

Thomas Hamed, AICP is a transportation planner who specializes in commuter transportation and mobility for all. Currently a consultant specializing in federal commuter transportation, Thomas has also led mobility programs for both the City of Alexandria in Virginia, and for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

Meet Instructor

Course Reviews

4.42
Sean Hoelscher 1

Sean Hoelscher 1

Extremely Satisfied
Khyati Parmar

Khyati Parmar

Normal
Carl Jackson

Carl Jackson

Satisfied
Jeffrey McCollough

Jeffrey McCollough

Satisfied

Course Reviews

49%
44%
7%
0%
0%
Sean Hoelscher 1

Sean Hoelscher 1

Extremely Satisfied
Khyati Parmar

Khyati Parmar

Normal
Carl Jackson

Carl Jackson

Satisfied
Jeffrey McCollough

Jeffrey McCollough

Satisfied
Christopher Balerna

Christopher Balerna

Extremely Satisfied
Kent Baird

Kent Baird

Extremely Satisfied
What an amazing presentation. Simple changes to our municipal documents and website could potentially attract an entirely new set of comprehensive planning comments, new volunteers for our boards and commissions, and even just make someone's life a little more enjoyable. I can't imagine having to read a bus map or planning map if I was color blind. So much more to learn. Thank you.
Andrew Pease

Andrew Pease

Satisfied
Dave McCorquodale

Dave McCorquodale

Satisfied

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