Why should we design accessible content?
Accessible content allows the widest range of users possible to engage with information. Without keeping accessibility in mind, we may inadvertently create a graphic that an individual who is blind cannot view. We might design a website through which someone who can only use a keyboard for navigation cannot move. By intentionally and thoughtfully considering accessibility in the initial phases of content design, we can develop content that is available to everyone.
Accessibility is our communal responsibility. This responsibility is upheld by UConn’s policies and by state and federal laws. Because our digital content reaches far beyond our campuses, it is vital for us to understand and implement accessibility principles in every aspect of digital communication.
With so many avenues for digital content and communication it can be difficult to know how to make each accessible. To the left of the page, we have provided guidance on creating accessible content for different categories of digital information.
Why does accessibility matter in academia?
Ethical Reasons
- Ensures all readers, including those using screen readers, can read & navigate your work
- Supports neurodiverse and disabled scholars
- Aligns with principles of universal design
Practical Reasons
- Accessible pages and documents are easier to read and revise
- Accessibility improves SEO, clarity, and consistency, not just compliance
Legal & Institutional Reasons
- Universities must follow ADA; inaccessible dissertations can create risk
- Increasing expectations from federal agencies
Who needs accessible content?
- Blind, low vision, or color blindness users who are unable to perceive some or all visual information on a page.
- Keyboard users who only interact with a page if all elements can be accessed with a key stroke.
- Users who experience seizures and require reduced motion on a screen to avoid triggering one.
- English language learners who may depend on a screen reader to translate or announce content easily.
- Elderly users who experience lower vision or limited physical movement.
- Users in busy or noisy spaces who often rely on captions or transcripts.
- Mobile users who need resizable content that is high contrast to improve readability.