Digital Accessibility

Getting Started

The following paths will lead you to a better understanding of creating accessible documents, websites, and applications.

Benefits of Accessible Content

Everyone deserves equal access to information and opportunities. Digital accessibility ensures that people with disabilities or impairments can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content and tools. By making our websites, documents, and applications accessible, we:

• Empower individuals with disabilities to participate fully in our online world.
• Enhance the user experience for everyone, regardless of ability.
• Comply with legal and ethical obligations.
• Strengthen our brand reputation and attract a wider audience.

Creating a truly inclusive digital experience requires understanding the diverse needs of your audience. By recognizing the various disabilities and impairments users may face, we can proactively remove barriers and ensure everyone can access information and interact with our content effectively. This understanding forms the foundation of accessible design, paving the way for a more user-friendly and reasonable digital experience for everyone.

Understanding Diverse Needs

It's important to remember that disabilities and impairments exist on a broad spectrum, and individuals experience them in varying degrees. However, some common types of disabilities and impairments can significantly impact a user's digital experience:

• Visual Impairments

    Visual Impairments

  • Blindness: Users who are blind rely on screen readers and other assistive technologies to access information. Websites and applications need to be compatible with these tools and provide alternative text descriptions for images and other non-text content.
  • Low Vision: Users with low vision may have difficulty seeing small text or perceiving contrast. Websites should offer features like zoom, adjustable font sizes, and high-contrast color schemes.
  • Color Blindness: Users who are color blind see color differently or do not see color. Using only color to convey information impacts this group. Ensuring good contrast and including text with color help this group.
• Hearing Impairments

   Hearing Impairments

  • Deafness: Users who are deaf cannot hear audio content. Websites and applications should provide captions and transcripts for videos and audio recordings.
  • Hard of Hearing: Users with hearing impairments may have difficulty hearing certain frequencies or understanding speech in noisy environments. Websites should offer closed captions, adjustable audio volume, and transcripts for audio content.
• Physical and Motor Disabilities

   Physical and Motor Disabilities

  • Limited dexterity: Users with limited hand or arm movement may have difficulty using a mouse or keyboard. Websites and applications should be navigable using alternative methods like voice commands, touch gestures, or assistive devices.
  • Mobility impairments: Users who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids may have difficulty accessing visual information on a screen. Websites should have a clear and logical layout, be navigable using a keyboard, and avoid content that requires precise clicking or scrolling.
• Cognitive and Learning Disabilities

   Cognitive and Learning Disabilities

  • Dyslexia: Users with dyslexia may have difficulty reading and understanding text. Websites should use clear and concise language, avoid complex sentence structures, and offer alternative ways to access information, such as audio recordings or videos.
  • ADHD: Users with ADHD may have difficulty focusing on tasks or navigating complex interfaces. Websites should be designed with a clear hierarchy, minimize distractions, and offer options for customization.
• Mental Health Disabilities

   Mental Health Disabilities

  • Anxiety or PTSD may be overwhelmed by complex interfaces or flashing elements. Websites should offer a calm, predictable design, avoid auto-playing content, and provide clear instructions.
  • Depression: Users with depression may lack motivation to engage with complex tasks. Websites should be easy to navigate and offer clear calls to action.

It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and many other types of disabilities can impact a user's digital experience. Understanding these diverse needs can create all-encompassing and accessible digital experiences for everyone.

Resources

Do you need clarification or training for digital accessibility? Please reach out to Glenn Philp at Glenn.Philp@UTSouthwestern.edu.

• Department of Justice Rule Fact Sheet
• Department of Justice Final Ruling
• Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Chapter 213
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Final Ruling
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

Information Sessions