Digital accessibility is about making our digital content (e.g., websites, documents, videos, and course materials) accessible and usable for people with disabilities.
The term accessibility is often used as the "ability to access" the functionality and environment by as many people as possible. It typically focuses on people with disabilities and their ability to access through a modified environment or with the use of assistive technology (Links to an external site.). Modifications are often seen in our physical space in a facility in the form of wheelchair ramps, elevators, wider doors and bathroom stalls, and alarm systems that can be seen and heard. Accessibility as used in this course also means we are in compliance with Federal accessibility standards and guidelines as defined in various laws.
What does Accessible Design actually mean to our students? Watch the following video for an overview of accessibility and its importance to four different students with varied disabilities:
Accessibility not only applies to facilities and buildings but also applies to learning materials and online environments such as the internet and its content. This is often referred to as web accessibility. This includes webpages, files on webpages, online classes, any files on Canvas, files and forms sent to students and just about anything digital. Not making these items accessible is the digital equivalent of not having an elevator or a ramp for a person in a wheelchair to get up to another floor of a building.
Making digital content accessible means meeting a standard such that assistive technologies can function effectively. Accessible content not only benefits those with disabilities but it can be useful to other users too. For example, a captioned video or an attached transcript would be necessary for a student with an auditory disability. However, it would also benefit an ESL (English as a Second Language) student, a student in the library (who forgot their earbuds), and a student with a different learning style (e.g. someone prefers to read instead of view a video).
In the context of online courses, accessibility means making it possible for all students, regardless of physical or developmental impairment, to use all course materials and tools. A course is accessible to the degree that every student can get to, perceive, and navigate course content and assignments; submit assignments; and successfully use all course tools. Accessible design is often included under the larger umbrella of “universal design for learning ,” because it considers all possible users.
Released in April 2024, the new DOJ regulations require “state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible for people with disabilities.” These new rules apply to all public colleges and universities. All digital content and functions of your websites, mobile applications, and social media that you are using after the implementation deadline will need to meet the specific accessibility standards. This encompasses everything online or on your apps. It will affect students, faculty, and staff. A few examples of what needs to be accessible include (but are not limited to):
What Accessibility Standard is Being Used?
From the DOJ press release announcing the rule:
“The agency is adopting the technical standards of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, which requires 50 success criteria to make websites accessible. This includes converting pictures and documents so they can be read with assistive technology for individuals with vision loss and providing captions for live and prerecorded videos for individuals with hearing loss.”
Digital accessibility also benefits people without disabilities, for example:
For a 7-minute video with examples of how accessibility is essential for people with disabilities and useful for everyone in a variety of situations, see:
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