A common question after fixing a syllabus is whether compliance stops there. Usually it does not. Accessibility expectations often apply to the instructional materials students actually need in order to access the course, not just the one document that happens to get the most attention from compliance offices.
What Usually Counts
In practice, this can include the syllabus, assignment instructions, handouts, reading guides, lecture slides, downloadable Word documents, and course files uploaded to the LMS. The precise institutional language may vary, but the pattern is straightforward: if students need the material to participate in the course, it is worth treating as part of the accessibility conversation.
Real Example
Suppose your syllabus is accessible, but your weekly assignment sheets still use fake headings and inaccessible tables. From the student perspective, the barrier did not disappear. It just moved into the supporting materials. That is why focusing only on the syllabus can create a false sense of completion.
How to Prioritize Without Burning Out
The right answer is not always "fix everything everywhere all at once." A more realistic approach is to prioritize the materials students use immediately or repeatedly. Start with the documents every student must open, then move to the files that shape deadlines, grading, course policies, and weekly work. High-use materials usually give you the best return on time.
Workflow
Make a list of the documents students actually rely on, not just the ones sitting in your course folder. Prioritize the high-frequency and high-stakes materials, review their structure, run accessibility checks, and use AdaDocumentMaker on the Word files that need the closest review. That keeps the work grounded in actual student use instead of abstract completeness.
FAQ
Is it just the syllabus?
Usually no. Required course materials more broadly can matter.
What should I prioritize first?
Start with the documents students use immediately or often.
Do handouts count?
Yes, especially if they contain instructions, policies, or graded work expectations.
Do old reused materials count?
Yes. Reuse does not erase current accessibility expectations.
A Practical Place to Start
If you are unsure which Word-based course materials beyond your syllabus may have accessibility issues, start by uploading your highest-use documents to AdaDocumentMaker and review those reports first.