Accessibility & Assistive Technology
Find accessibility resources, assistive technology, and support for using Questrom and BU technology in ways that meet a wide range of access needs.
ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT
Start with the Right Support
Accessibility needs can involve formal accommodations, assistive technology, classroom access, or digital content. The right starting point depends on what kind of support you need.
Students & Academic Accommodations
Students with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations through BU Disability & Access Services. DAS manages the academic accommodation process and works with students individually based on documentation and access needs.
Faculty & Staff Workplace Accommodations
Faculty and staff seeking disability-related workplace accommodations should work through BU’s Equal Opportunity Office. Faculty or staff who need academic accommodations for a BU course should register with Disability & Access Services as students.
Questrom Technology Support
Questrom Tech can help with technology-related implementation and troubleshooting involving Questrom software, computer labs, classroom systems, websites, and other digital resources.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Technology That Supports Access
Assistive technology can help people interact with digital content, communication, classrooms, and computing environments in different ways. DAS can help eligible students identify and use appropriate assistive technology as part of its services.
Screen Access & Magnification
Assistive technology can support access to visual information through tools such as screen-reader accessibility, enlarged display, or other adapted computer interfaces.
Reading & Alternative Formats
Digital course materials may be made available in formats that work better with text-to-speech, screen readers, adjustable text, or other reading preferences.
Communication Access
DAS coordinates services such as ASL interpreting and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) for eligible students and University activities.
Other Assistive Technology
Depending on the individual need, accommodations can involve assistive software, adapted equipment, or other technology intended to improve access.
QUESTROM RESOURCES
Creating Accessible Course Materials
Questrom IT has developed practical resources to help faculty improve the accessibility of course materials. These resources complement BU-wide accessibility guidance with examples and materials designed for the Questrom teaching environment.
Questrom Accessibility Guide
Review Questrom guidance for preparing course materials with accessibility in mind.
Accessible PowerPoint Template
Start presentations with a Questrom template designed to support more accessible course materials.
Accessibility at Questrom
Watch Questrom’s overview of accessibility considerations for faculty and course materials.
Accessible Word Documents
Learn techniques for improving the accessibility of Microsoft Word documents.
Encountered an accessibility barrier? If a Questrom website, form, document, or other digital resource is difficult to use, contact Questrom Tech with the specific resource and a description of the issue so it can be reviewed.
QUESTROM TECHNOLOGY
Using Questrom Technology with Accessibility Needs
If an accessibility need involves Questrom technology, contact us so we can help identify the relevant technical option and coordinate with the appropriate BU office when needed.
Classroom Technology
If an approved accommodation involves classroom presentation, audio, display, or other technology, contact Questrom Tech as early as possible so the technical setup can be reviewed.
Software & Applications
If assistive technology needs to work with a Questrom application, virtual environment, or specialized software package, we can help check compatibility and identify available access options.
Computer Labs
If you encounter an accessibility barrier when using a Questrom computer lab or managed workstation, contact Questrom Tech so the technical issue can be reviewed.
Websites & Digital Services
If a Questrom website, form, document, or digital service is difficult to access with assistive technology or keyboard navigation, report the specific page or resource to Questrom Tech.
Assistive Listening in Questrom Classrooms
Assistive listening systems are installed in select Questrom classrooms. BU currently lists SMG 316, 404, 406, and 408 as equipped with assistive listening technology. For information about using classroom accessibility technology or confirming current room capabilities, contact Questrom Tech.
FORMAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Where to Request an Accommodation
Questrom Tech can support technology implementation, but formal disability accommodations are handled through the appropriate University office.
Students
Students with qualifying disabilities who are enrolled in BU courses or programs may request reasonable accommodations through Disability & Access Services. The current DAS process for new students includes submitting an application, providing documentation, and completing an intake appointment.
Faculty & Staff Employees
Employees seeking disability-related workplace accommodations should submit a request through the Equal Opportunity Office and participate in its accommodation process.
Taking a BU course as faculty or staff? If you need an academic accommodation for coursework, Disability & Access Services—not the workplace accommodation process—is the appropriate route.
TEACHING & LEARNING
Check Your Course Materials for Accessibility
Accessible course materials are easier to navigate and use across devices and assistive technologies. Before distributing or publishing course content, review the materials students will need to read, watch, download, or interact with.
Check Content with Blackboard Ally
Blackboard Ally is integrated with Blackboard and can identify accessibility issues in supported course files, provide instructors with guidance for improving them, and generate alternative formats that students can choose based on their needs.
Check Documents Before Distributing Them
Review Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs for accessible structure. Use real headings, meaningful link text, appropriate alternative text for images, and a logical reading order.
Make Multimedia Accessible
Review required video and audio materials for accessibility. Video content should include synchronized captions, while audio-only content should have an appropriate transcript.
Provide Usable Formats
Consider whether students can navigate, read, listen to, and interact with the material using different technologies. Blackboard Ally can provide alternative formats for supported course content, including formats such as tagged PDF, semantic HTML, audio, electronic Braille, and ePub.
UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
BU Accessibility Resources
Use these University resources for formal accommodations, accessibility guidance, and campus access information.
Disability & Access Services
Student accommodations, assistive technology, communication access, accommodated testing, and other disability-related academic support.
Website Accessibility
Guidance for creating accessible web content, documents, images, links, media, and other digital materials.
Campus Accessibility
Information about accessible building entrances, automatic doors, audible traffic signals, transportation, and other physical-access resources across BU.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Quick Answers
Where do students request disability accommodations?
Students with qualifying disabilities request academic accommodations through BU Disability & Access Services.
Where do faculty and staff request workplace accommodations?
Faculty and staff seeking disability-related workplace accommodations go through BU’s Equal Opportunity Office. Faculty or staff who need accommodations for BU coursework use Disability & Access Services instead.
Can Questrom Tech approve an accommodation?
No. Formal accommodation decisions are handled by the appropriate University office. Questrom Tech can assist with technology-related implementation and troubleshooting.
What should I do if a Questrom page or form isn't accessible?
Contact Questrom Tech and identify the specific page, form, document, or interaction causing the problem so the issue can be reviewed.
Need Help with Accessible Technology?
If you're having difficulty using Questrom software, computer labs, websites, digital content, or classroom technology because of an accessibility barrier, contact Questrom Tech so we can help identify the technical issue and the appropriate support path. For formal disability accommodations, use Disability & Access Services or the Equal Opportunity Office as appropriate.
Get IT Support
questromhelp@bu.edu
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