Wellness Check

Top recommendations for accessibility.iu.edu

Improve text and layout of your pages

1. Remember to consider what a "humane website" might look and read like. Avoid phrases like "Request accomodations". Most people do not want to be "accomodated", they just want an equitable opportunitiy.
2. Several pages can be improved with lists. Lists help users skim pages, like this one, to glean information more quickly.
3. Be careful to avoid lengthy blocks of text in large, crimson backgrounds. It can be tiring to read more than a paragraph on red.
4. Be consistent on the homepage with "ADA @ IU" as the most likely, commonly-used naming convention.

Read more in the content audit

Save some work later by linking to the Knowledge Base and reducing duplicate content

1. It's accurate for now, but as platforms evolve you can save yourself work by linking out to the IU Knowledge Base for how-to articles on using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and others. The Knowledge Base is likely updated quickly, contains accurate source links, and reduces duplicate material for you.
2. You can merge the menu items for ADA @ IU and Getting Assistance to better condense the information architecture of the site, making easier for users to find this information.
3. Consider condensing duplicate content into one place in the site and then linking to it from other pages. For example, ADA information or the content about the syllabus statement.
4. A few pieces of content were hidden at the lower sections of pages where they might be missed. The new information architecture brings these higher up in the structure.
   • Bringing ADA information out of the ADA @ IU page and into a new policies page under Understanding Accessibility.
   • Bringing how to report accessibility barriers information out of Getting Assistance index page and into a new page in that section.
   • Pulling information on how to submit a care referral out of Types of Disabilities page and into a new page under Getting Assistance.

Read more in the information architecture audit

You can also view a sitemap of the recommended structure

We reviewed each page for technical issues

1. Keep Google, bots, screen readers, and users in the flow with orderly heading tags. Each page must have one and only one Heading 1 tag, followed by a logical order of Heading 2, 3, and 4. Some pages are noted as having an illogical order, like H1, H2, H4 (which misses a necessary H3). Think of headings as chapters in a book, with the H1 as the title and H2, H3, and H4 serving as chapters and sub-topics.
2. Keywords for each page are what they sound like: a few words to describe the material, graphics, videos, and message on a page. A good way to deduce keywords is using names of people, places, and ideas. Several pages lack keywords.

Read more in the accessibility check

You can also review a summary of page assets

Keeping your site accessible

1. Always remember that your content must meet or exceed the accessibility standards set forth by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA.
2. Maintain color contrast ratios for colorblind users and those with low vision. Several pages are noted in the accessibility audit. When in doubt, black-on-white is always best.

Review more in the accessibility audit

A complete scan of every link on the site is also available. Most all links internally are in good shape.