Digital accessibility involves creating web and media content that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities. Digital accessibility practices include the appropriate use of colors, descriptive text in links, logical document structure, and alternative text for images, among others. There is a Department of Justice requirement that all University websites, Canvas course materials, and other digital content (such as Word documents, slide presentations, videos, and images) produced by the University meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Level 2.1 AA. The University has a legal and ethical duty to ensure its courses are accessible to all students. By embracing digital accessibility, we can enhance student engagement, reduce learning barriers, and streamline the teaching process.
Accessibility or Accommodations?
Accessibility creates inclusive environments for all, while accommodations make specific adjustments for individuals. As part of compliance with the federal digital accessibility mandate, all digital materials must meet the technical standards established for digital accessibility. In contrast, the Disability Resource Center assists with accommodations for specific individuals with identified needs.
As an analogy, modern building codes for a multi-story public building require that the building include elevators, ramps, powered doors, and so forth. The building codes are the equivalent of digital accessibility requirements in online environments. Accommodations address needs that may not already be met by building codes, such as modifying a space to create a lactation room for an employee returning from parental leave. Likewise, in a course that meets digital accessibility requirements, instructors may still be asked to provide accommodations such as extended time on quizzes or advanced copies of class notes for specific students.
The Role of Instructors
Instructors have a responsibility to ensure their online content is digitally accessible and to provide specific accommodations in partnership with the DRC when an individual student has an accommodations letter. The Digital Education and Innovation team has gathered resources to help you meet accessibility guidelines.
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