Websites

As the digital front door to our University, it's important that everyone is able to access the information they need. Once you understand the small steps we can all take to ensure that no person is ever excluded from our content, you will start to see that making our content more accessible actually provides a better user experience for all. 

Operating Principles

The web operating principles serve as a checklist for web authors when preparing to present their content online. Creating accessible content for websites doesn't require extensive technical knowledge, nor does it require memorization of specific accessibility guidelines. 

  1. Headers are used to create logical reading order and not for styling text 
  2. Tables are properly used to present tabular data and contain accurate text-based descriptions  
  3. Content is presented as a webpage whenever possible, posted documents are in an accessible format 
  4. Hyperlinks are provided using appropriate and accurate descriptive text  
  5. Images have minimal to no text on them and include appropriate and accurate text-based descriptions using alt text or on the website alongside the image 
  6. Posted videos and other digital media are captioned to 99% accuracy  
  7. Third-party information and content posted on UC websites are accessible 
  8. Web forms are provided using an accessible forms tool and fillable PDF forms are checked for accessibility prior to posting
  9. Highly customized websites or websites used as part of a UC-developed program or system are built and checked for accessibility, and any issues remediated prior to publication 
  10. Websites and webpages are accessible when published and sites/pages will be regularly audited to assure overall accessibility