Digital Accessibility
Below is an overview of what accessibility means and the resources available.
Overview
Accessibility is a part of the Universal Design for Learning framework which focuses on removing learning barriers, improving, and optimizing teaching and learning for all. Accessibility in higher education ensures that all persons are provided access to digital content and opportunities to receive effective educational services, with the needed support services.
Federal law requires and NDSU expects all employees to make all digital content accessible.
Getting Started
Getting started with accessibility begins with understanding that accessibility is shaped by our actions, interactions, and personal preferences, as highlighted by the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials. To begin creating accessible materials:
- Start Simple: Use clear fonts, high-contrast colors, and avoid cluttered designs.
- Use Built-In Accessibility Tools: Leverage tools like alt text for images, headings for structure, and captioning for videos.
- Test for Accessibility: Use online checkers to ensure your materials meet accessibility standards.
- Engage Everyone: Encourage feedback from users to identify barriers.
Best Practices
- Creating accessible digital content ensures it is available and usable by all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. To achieve this, think about accessibility before, during, and after the creation of all digital content. Review and fix accessibility issues before sharing the content with others.
- Begin by providing headings in documents, alternative text for images, descriptive links for URLs, formatting tables, including captions for videos, providing transcripts for audio, reviewing color contrast, and much more.
Learn More/How To's
- Assistive Technology (AT) - tools that help people with differences work around challenges.
- How to Make Materials Accessible - provides an overview of resources available to help you use technology effectively
- Why is Accessibility in Course Content Important
- What Accessibility Means in Course Design
FAQs
Use Cases
- Designing and developing digital course content
- Creating departmental documents and resources
- Ensuring closed captioning is available and text transcripts for virtual meeting attendees
Universal Design/Accessibility
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and digital accessibility both seek to increase access to educational digital content and reduce barriers for students and everyone. Using UDL guidelines and introducing inclusive teaching strategies in your courses sends a welcoming message that all are included.
- CAST – Universal Design for Learning resources
- UDL Guidelines – Guidelines 3.0 tool to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people
Related resources
- DOJ Final Rule to Improve Web and Mobile App Access - On April 24, the Justice Department published a landmark final rule to strengthen accessibility of web content and mobile applications under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible.
- Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources
- National Center on Accessible Educational Materials
- Web Accessibility
- Title IX | Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance | NDSU
- 504 Law of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973