The University has a shared responsibility to make information and communication technology accessible. To support the UConn community in this obligation, we have developed accessibility training which are intended to enhance knowledge and skills of University employees and organizations in the use of accessible technology. We encourage all employees who engage in web development and design, content stewardship, and/or procuring goods and services to become familiar with this training material. There are opportunities for self-paced learning as well as instructor-led workshops. Please contact itaccessibility@uconn.edu if you need other digital accessibility training or would like group/department training.
IT Accessibility Services
The IT Accessibility team can provide guidance and assistance to the University to ensure compliance with the ADA Title II regulations and other relevant federal and state laws pertaining to IT accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Please contact us if you need assistance. We offer the following services:
- Website Review
- Document remediation (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Strategizing website and/or document remediation
- Consulting during Procurement to ensure technology procured is accessible
Instructor-Led Workshops
| Instructor-Led Workshop | Date | Time | Presentation Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Tuesday, July 15 | 10:30-11:00 AM | Colors |
| Images | Thursday, July 17 | 11:30-12:00 PM | Images |
| Word Documents | Friday, July 18 | 11:30-12:00 PM | Word Documents |
| PowerPoint Presentations | Monday, July 21 | 11:00-11:30 AM | PowerPoint Presentations |
| Adobe PDFs | Tuesday, July 22 | 10:30-11:30 AM | Adobe PDFs |
| Websites | Thursday, July 24 | 10:30-11:30 AM | Websites |
| Siteimprove | TBD | TBD |
Self-Paced Learning
We offer a collection of self-paced training modules to help you learn how to create accessible digital content. In addition to the ten methods outlined below to make your content accessible, you can refer to more detailed instructions using materials provided for each topic. Also, familiarize yourself with the recent updates to ADA Title II which outline the technical standards we must follow to ensure accessibility.
Top Ten Accessibility Standards
- Ensure Adequate Color Contrast and Don’t Use Color Alone to Convey Information
- Provide Alternative Text for Images
- Add descriptive alt text to images so screen readers can convey their purpose to visually impaired users. Keep the descriptions concise but informative, focusing on the essential information conveyed by the image.
- Use Headings and Structured Layouts
- Organize content with clear headings, subheadings, and lists to help users navigate easily. Properly structured HTML tags (e.g.,
<h1>,<h2>,<ul>) improve compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers
- Organize content with clear headings, subheadings, and lists to help users navigate easily. Properly structured HTML tags (e.g.,
- Ensure Reading and Navigation Order is Logical
- The reading order is the sequence in which assistive technology interprets text, images, and other content elements. An intuitive reading order ensures that content is accessible logically and sequentially, mirroring its intended flow. This aspect is particularly important for devices like screen readers, which rely on the established order to narrate the content to users with visual impairments accurately.
- Be mindful of the reading order in Microsoft PowerPoint. It is determined by the sequence in which elements are added to a slide, which may cause content to be read in the wrong order.
- For websites, use keyboard only to navigate the site to ensure there are no keyboard traps.
- Use True Tables with Headers
- Use true tables with headers to organize information. This makes it easier to read and understand relationships between data, which enhance accessibility for those using assistive technologies, and allows for easier data manipulation and analysis.
- Use Descriptive Hyperlinks
- These are hyperlinks in a web page or document that clearly and accurately describe the destination or purpose of the link. They improve accessibility and usability and clarify the link’s purpose and destination. An example of a descriptive hyperlink is IT Accessibility at UConn.
- Provide Transcripts and Captions for Multimedia
- Offer transcripts for audio content and captions for videos to accommodate users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or prefer to consume content in text form. Ensure captions are accurate and synchronized with the audio.
- Ensure Each Document has a Title
- The Document Title should be added to all documents and written using plain language (no acronyms), so it is read instead of the file name.
- Use Clear and Simple Language
- Write in plain language to ensure content is understandable for people with varying literacy levels. Avoid jargon, technical terms, or complex sentences unless necessary, and provide explanations when they are used.
- Use Accessibility Checkers/Tools
- Use the accessibility checkers to help identify potential barriers to accessibility, such as missing alt text for images, improperly structured headings, poor color contrast, and accessibility issues.
- Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker
- Blackboard Ally in HuskyCT or Blackboard Ally for Websites (contact itaccessibility@uconn.edu for access to Blackboard Ally for Websites)
By implementing these tips, you’ll make your content more inclusive and usable for a broader audience.