FACULTY: Add an Accessible Syllabus to Blackboard Ultra

This guide provides quick steps for adding an accessible syllabus to your Blackboard course site.

Before You Upload

Make sure your syllabus is accessible.

  • Use built-in heading styles to organize sections. Heading 1 should be at the top of page 1.
  • Use built-in bullets or numbered lists.
  • Add alternative text to meaningful images, or indicate when an image is decorative.
  • Do not use color alone to communicate information.
  • Give hyperlinks meaningful, descriptive text.
  • Run the Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker.
  • Upload the Word document when possible. You may also upload an accessible, tagged PDF.

Upload Your Syllabus

  1. Log in to Blackboard and open your course site.

  2. On the Course Content page, choose where you want the syllabus to appear.

    If the course site is empty:
    Select Add Content in the center of the page.

    If the course already contains content:
    Move your pointer to the location where you want to add the syllabus, then select the plus sign (+) that appears.

    To place the syllabus inside a learning module or folder, expand that section and select the plus sign inside it.

  3. Select Upload.

  4. Locate and select the syllabus file on your computer.

  5. Edit the displayed file name, if needed. Use a clear title such as ENGL 101 Course Syllabus.

  6. Choose how students may access the file:

    • View and download, recommended for most syllabi
    • View only
    • Download only

  7. Select Save.

Make the Syllabus Visible

Newly uploaded files may be hidden from students. Change the visibility setting below the syllabus title from Hidden from students to Visible to students.

Confirm That Students Can Find It

Check that the:

  • syllabus appears near the top of the Course Content page
  • correct file was uploaded
  • syllabus is set to Visible to students
  • file opens or downloads correctly

You may also use Student Preview to confirm how the syllabus appears to students.

Updating Your Syllabus

To update the syllabus, select the three dots (…) next to the file and choose Edit. Select Replace to upload the revised file, then select Save.

Additional Help

Need Help?

Contact the Teaching & Technology Center at ttc@bridgew.edu.

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