It is estimated that around one-fifth of the world’s population has a disability. By following the WCAG guidelines, we can not only better serve faculty, staff, students and community members with disabilities, but also increase usability for all users. This is often referred to as Inclusive Design or Universal Design.

By making our websites, Canvas courses and documents accessible we can make campus resources usable for any person.

We often think of Accessibility in terms of screen reader users, but all of the following populations should be considered while creating new content:

Vision Impairments

• Blindness
• Low Vision
• Color Blindness

Hearing Issues

• Deaf
• Hard of Hearing

Cognitive Issues

• Learning Disabilities
• Inability to remember or focus

Technical Issues

• Slow connection
• Screen size
• Unsupported Technology

Changing Abilities

• Effects of Aging
• Broken Bones

By following some of the guides on this site, you can begin to structure your content accessibly, whether it be in Canvas or OmniUpdate, and best serve your campus population.