At Michigan State University, accessibility is woven into much of what we do in IT. Whether we’re building apps, supporting users, or managing systems, accessibility shapes digital campus experiences.
That’s why MSU IT partnered in the university-wide effort to roll out new Disability and Accessibility Policies training for all employees, launched October 20, 2025. This training helps our community understand legal requirements and practical steps to strengthen accessibility and foster an inclusive environment. The training is a critical step forward, and its development reflects deep collaboration across campus.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR), but it quickly evolved into a cross-unit partnership. MSU IT’s Educational Technology team worked closely with OCR and other campus units to ensure the training was not only informative but also digitally accessible and technically sound.
Liz McDaniel, who is part of the digital accessibility team within OCR, was instrumental in initiating the collaboration.
“My colleagues and I on the digital accessibility team in the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance collaborate frequently with MSU IT, with one example being the ongoing Digital Accessibility Liaisons meeting series,” she explained. “I initially approached MSU IT about whether their instructional technology and development team could help us build this training. They said yes, and their involvement was integral in transforming the training from idea to reality.”
Sarah Frye, one of the designers, reflected on the experience, “My favorite part was collaborating with all the subject matter experts; I thought I knew a lot about accessibility, but there are so many moving pieces that make up the accommodation process. It was fascinating to learn from the subject matter experts, and to try and capture information from so many stakeholders (20+).”
The collaboration brought together experts from the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, Employee and Labor Relations, the Enterprise Project Management Office, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact, the Office for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, and the Office of Research Regulatory Support. MSU IT served as the connective tissue, helping translate accessibility goals into a seamless digital experience.
“Collaboration across campus was key to the success of developing this training,” McDaniel added. “At least eight MSU units were involved in shaping the final product. Each collaborator brought their subject matter expertise and their unique skillsets to the development process. Their contributions and guidance were valuable throughout every step of the project. Overall, I believe that our efforts resulted in a training that will benefit the MSU community.”
The Disability and Accessibility Policies training, hosted in AbilityLMS, is designed to help employees recognize Michigan State University’s obligations under both federal and state disability laws, while also deepening their understanding of the purpose and scope of the university’s policies. Participants will learn about their individual roles and responsibilities when it comes to requesting and implementing accommodations for employees and students. In addition, the course introduces key principles of digital accessibility, ensuring that everyone is equipped to support an inclusive and accessible campus environment.
The training is presented in three self-paced modules, each followed by a short quiz to reinforce understanding. Employees will receive an email notification when the training is assigned and have 30 days to complete it. Once completed, certification is valid for two years.
To ensure compatibility with assistive technologies, MSU IT conducted multiple rounds of accessibility and usability testing within the AbilityLMS platform.
“Various members within IT thoroughly tested the training and provided detailed feedback to the designers,” McDaniel noted. “Dedicating time to this process and conducting multiple rounds of testing ensured that the final result was the best possible product within the parameters of the AbilityLMS platform.”
MSU IT also worked directly with the Office of Research Regulatory Support (ORRS) to integrate the training into AbilityLMS.
“MSU IT ensured that the training would be technically compatible with AbilityLMS, and ORRS provided incredibly helpful support throughout multiple stages of the project,” McDaniel said. “This collaboration between Ed Tech and ORRS was another key factor in the project’s success.”
The rollout marks a milestone in MSU’s commitment to inclusive excellence. By embedding accessibility into the technical foundation of the training, MSU IT helped ensure that the message of equity reaches every corner of campus.
