Digital Accessibility Resources

The digital accessibility task force is working to aggregate existing resources and develop new resources as required.

Resource Starter Pack

• Accessible Course Design
• Accessibility Checklist for Canvas Courses or Other Digital Content
• Mediasite - How to Add Closed Captions
• Mediasite - Accessibility Features (external link)
• Concept 3D Web Accessibility Checklist (external link)
• U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Digital Access in Education Video Series (external link)

General Accessibility DOs and DON'Ts

The instructional design team within the Center for Academic Innovation has created an Accessibility DOs and DON'Ts resource. You may download the PDF file of the DOs and DON'Ts for Digital Accessibility or view the same content below.

Color

• DON'T use color alone to convey meaning.
• DO check your colors for accessibility and contrast using WebAIM's contrast checker.
• Want to level up? DO consider adding a pattern or symbols where color is necessary.
• Why this matters: Text and elements need sufficient contrast for people with low vision or colorblindness.

Tables

• DON'T merge cells. Don't leave cells blank.
• DO define header rows and columns.
• Want to level up? DO consider if your content would work better as a list!
• Why this matters: Proper formatting enables screen readers to correctly navigate and interpret table data.

Alt Text

• DON'T use large amounts of text on images.
• DO keep it accurate and brief.
• Want to level up? DO try dividing complex images into multiple images.
• Why this matters: It's like a rollercoaster you can't get off. Make it easy to listen to.

Headings

• DON'T just use bold text or change font size.
• DO add headings in Canvas, Microsoft...everywhere!
• Want to level up? If you don't have a title option, use an H1.
• Why this matters: Headings provide visual signposting for all users.

Lists

• DON'T just manually type with numbers/symbols and spaces.
• DO use built-in list features: Numbered when order matters, bulleted when it doesn't.
• Want to level up? Nested lists that use a mix of bullets and numbers are okay to use.
• Why this matters: Lists, headings and tables that are properly formatted help those who rely on keyboards to navigate web content.

Links

• DON'T use "click here" or a link that looks like this: https://k-state.instructure.com/
• DO create a readable link to make screen readers happy., like this article on how to write accessible web content.
• Want to level up? Links have a distinct style; avoid underlining other text and use italics for emphasis instead.
• Why this matters: Adding strong descriptive text and links helps everyone know how they are expected to interact with content.

Audio and Video

• DON'T just use a transcript for videos. Avoid using gifs in Canvas.
• DO use Mediasite to add captions, and always edit for accuracy, grammar and mechanics.
• Want to level up? Add audio descriptions in Mediasite for those with vision impairement.
• Why this matters: Missing captions and audio descriptions leave out those who need this information.