You’re committed to accessible education. So are we.
Built in line with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 standards, Top Hat empowers educators to create inclusive, engaging learning experiences where all students can thrive.
A third-party vendor conducts regular audits across our student engagement platform to validate our accessibility compliance.
Empower every student
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Let students learn on a platform that supports keyboard navigation and is designed to work with standard screen readers and magnification tools
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Accommodate individual student learning plans and needs by using custom test timers and flexible due dates
- Build assignments using accessible question types, such as multiple choice, numeric, matching, sorting and word answer
Accelerate your accessibility efforts using Ace
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Use Ace, our AI-powered assistant, to turn static PDFs and Word docs into responsive, web-based pages
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Identify and fix common accessibility issues, such as generating alt-text descriptions for images in course materials
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Produce text transcripts for assigned lecture slides, supporting multiple means of representation (UDL)
Teach with content that helps everyone succeed
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Trade your current print or digital text for a Top Hat Interactive eText that’s built around accessibility best practices
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Access built-in multimedia support, including alt-text for images, essential color contrast, and closed captions and audio descriptions for videos provided by authors
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Rely on accessible alternatives provided for any digitally-inaccessible content
Why students love Top Hat
Top Hat allowed me to get the whole realm of all my senses. It allowed me to be at the same level as everybody else. It really did give me my entire life back
Alexis Wiese
The University of Oklahoma,
Class of 2024
Read Alexis’ story
Accessibility Resources
View our VPATs
Request an alternative format for a Top Hat text
Request accessibility information for a Top Hat text
Frequently Asked Questions
What does accessible education mean in higher education?
Accessible education ensures that all students—including those with disabilities—can fully participate in learning experiences, access course materials and demonstrate mastery without barriers. In higher education, accessible education aligns with frameworks like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and compliance standards such as WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508.
Top Hat supports accessible education by combining accessible platform design, AI-powered accessibility tools and accessible interactive content so educators can create inclusive learning environments for every student.
Is Top Hat compliant with WCAG and Section 508 accessibility standards?
Yes. Top Hat designs its websites, applications and courseware in alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 standards in the United States.
To ensure compliance and continuous improvement, Top Hat engages a third-party vendor to conduct regular accessibility audits.
Documentation including VPATs and accessibility policies is available upon request.
How does Top Hat support accessible education beyond compliance?
Accessibility in education goes beyond meeting technical standards. It means creating learning experiences that are usable, flexible and inclusive for all learners.
Top Hat supports accessible education by providing:
- Screen reader compatibility with appropriate labeling and headings
- Full keyboard navigation across interactive elements
- Adjustable assignment settings to accommodate individual learning plans
- Closed captioning and lecture transcription options
- Multi-device usability across web and mobile
These features empower educators to build inclusive courses while supporting institutional accessibility goals.
How does Top Hat support Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) promotes multiple means of engagement, representation and expression.
Top Hat supports UDL by enabling:
- Interactive, multimodal content (text, video, assessments)
- Closed captions and transcripts for video
- Flexible assessment formats and personalized practice tools
- Adjustable deadlines and accommodations for individual learners
By embedding accessibility and personalization into the platform, Top Hat helps institutions implement UDL principles at scale.