SP2026 Instructional Technology Update

The UMBC Instructional Technology Update is provided by the Division of Information Technology for students, faculty and staff. If you have questions or need help, please consult the Blackboard Help FAQs or directly at www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help.  You can also contact the Technology Support Center at 410.455.3838 or submit an RT (Request Tracker) ticket via the myUMBC Help Menu or directly at my.umbc.edu/help.

HEADLINES

What’s New: Digital Accessibility (DA)

• SP26 Provost’s Perspectives on DA: 3/13 & 4/24 (including delayed Federal implementation)

• Making Math Accessible: A Practical Guide for STEM Instructors 

• Raise a FA26 Bb Course Ally Score by Fixing the Prior Version

• Achieve ‘Strive for 85’ DA Goal: Enroll in CoRE Foundations

• DA Steering Committee Launches 'Strive for 85' Ally Course Accessibility Goal

• UMBC Adopts Mathpix Snip to Advance STEM Digital Accessibility

• Beyond Compliance: How MLLI is Redefining Inclusive Pedagogy 

• Access in Action: 3 Minutes with Faculty Senate President Nancy Kusmaul 

 

Additional Updates

• Blackboard News

  • SU2026 Courses Created in Blackboard on April 16, 2026

  • Reminder: Blackboard Courses Scheduled for Server Retirement  

  • Latest updates to Ultra courses

• 2026-27 Learning Analytics Mini Grants CFP Due Friday, 6/5/26

   

Training & Professional Development (view upcoming events)

• Course Roadmap to Equity Digital Accessibility Summer Camp

  • Session 1: June 3 (12 PM - 3 PM): Fine Arts & Humanities

  • Session 2: June 10 (12 PM - 3 PM): STEM & Social Sciences

• What’s New in Ultra for Teaching & Learning (5.15)

• Improve Your Course Accessibility Score with Ally (6.2)

  

In Case You Missed It: Recordings & Tips (myUMBC login required)

• YuJa Migration Video Collection 

  • Organization Tips for Your Media Library

• Digital Accessibility

  • Practical Fixes for Digital Accessibility in STEM with Dr. Sarah Bass 

  • Accessible Math Collection 

  • Getting Started with Digital Accessibility Collection

  • Website Accessibility Tips

  

Other DoIT & UMBC News

• Spring Cleaning Your Cloud Storage

• Streamlining Transcription: How DoIT and the AOK Library Leveraged AWS to Enhance Media Accessibility at UMBC

• Accessibility & usability updates for myUMBC (phase 1 & phase 2)

• New Deadline, Same Mission: The accessibility mandate has been extended, but our commitment remains

• New Sites resources, site admin training, and project phases for accessibility 

• UMBC REX Analytics Adds New Portal & Hub 

• Upgrade Alert: RT 6 Has Arrived!