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Guideline

Properly formatted headings.

Why Is this Important?

Headings help to organize content, making it easier for everyone to read. Headings are also a primary way for people using screen reading software to navigate a page of text. 

Guideline

Format lists as proper lists.

Why Is this Important?

Formatting is conveyed to assistive technologies and mobile devices so they can present information as it's meant to be presented. Properly formatted documents are more understandable and accessible. 

Guideline

Write meaningful link text.

Why Is this Important?

Links embedded in text should describe the link's destination. This helps all users navigate more efficiently, especially screen reader users.

Guideline

Create tables with column and/or row headers and ensure a proper reading order. 

Why Is this Important?

• Why Column Headers in a Data Table are Important.
  Using table headers is important to conveying tabular data accurately. 
• Why the Reading Order in a Table is Important
  Screen readers read tables from left to right, top to bottom, one cell at a time (& only once). If cells are split or merged, it could throw the reading order off which may make the table difficult to comprehend by users who are blind and using a screen reader to navigate. 

Guideline

• Use sufficient color contrast.
• Don't use color alone to convey meaning.

Why Is this Important?

Without sufficient color contrast between font and background, people who are color blind and low vision will not benefit from the information. And using color alone to convey meaning will leave those who are color blind or blind unable to interpret the meaning.

Guideline

Ensure that any action that uses a mouse can also be completed using only the keyboard.

Why Is this Important?

Mobility and visual disabilities often make using a mouse impossible or ineffective. If content is not keyboard accessible, it will limit who can learn from the content. 

Guideline

Provide alternative (Alt) text descriptions for images. 

Why Is this Important?

Alt text is read by a screen reader. It should adequately describe what is being displayed and why it's important. This allows the screen reader users to benefit from the information being conveyed by the image, even if they cannot see it. 

Guideline

Design clear and consistent navigation.

Why Is this Important?

Clear and consistent navigation in your course will allow students to focus on your content rather than on how to find it. 

Guideline

Eliminate or limit blinking/flashing content to 3 seconds. 

Why Is this Important?

Blinking content is distracting, and it can cause seizures to occur in people with a photosensitive disorder.

Guideline

• Ensure a proper logical reading order in a form. 
• Label form fields and buttons clearly.

Why Is this Important?

• Why the Reading Order of a Form is Important
  Using the tab key, your cursor should follow through the form in the same order it is intende3d to be completed. This benefits users who cannot use a mouse.
• Why Labeling Buttons and Form Fields is Important
  A screen reader will identify the button or form field by reading the label. The label should adequately describe the button's action, and the form fields labels should indicate what information should be filled in the form field. 

Guideline

Video content needs to have captions and audio content needs to be transcribed. Captions and transcripts need to be 99% accurate. Media Services can help provide captions for media, if you have the copyright holder's permission. 

Why Is this Important?

Video captions benefit many views. Captions are essential for those who are deaf and hard of hearing, but they also aid in comprehension for non-native English speakers, those who are unfamiliar with vocabulary, and viewers with some learning difficulties or in a noisy environment. 

Audio transcripts benefit many students. They are essential for those who are deaf and hard of hearing, but they also assist anyone who would like to read or search the transcript. 

Guideline

Write math and science equations accessibly. 

Why Is this Important?

Inaccessible software and applications will shut students with disabilities out. Request accessibility documentation from vendors and publishers for any student used materials.

Guideline

Require only accessible software & applications.

Why Is this Important?

For web pages, use an equation editor in eLearn. For MS Word and PPT documents. use the MathType plugin. Math needs to be created in MathML format.