Web content

Comprehensive web accessibility is a standard at IU, not just a goal

An accessible website can be independently perceived, understood, navigated, and operated by as many individuals as possible, regardless of any disabilities.

Quick tips for developers

Creating an accessible website means working from established standards to strive toward web pages that are usable by the widest audience possible. However, the full set of web accessibility standards and guidelines can be a lot to grasp at first.

These tips are meant to help web developers get a quick start. They address the most important considerations for web page accessibility.

  1. Provide a unique, descriptive page title.
  2. Markup the human language of the text content.
  3. Insert a working "skip to main content" link for every page.
  4. Use headings to indicate the structure of the page's content.
  5. Display alternate text along with all images.
  6. Provide captions for video and transcripts for audio.
  7. Attach text labels for all interactive elements.
  8. Check for keyboard accessibility throughout the page.
  9. Use meaningful HTML markup.
  10. Apply color carefully, and avoid sensory dependent instructions.

Why web accessibility is important

It's the right thing to do

An accessible website strives for equal access for everyone to online materials including web pages, documents, audio, and video.

It's the law

Federal and state regulations require public universities, such as IU, to have accessible websites. Lawsuits and civil rights complaints can be filed against universities for making web content inaccessible.