Creating Accessible Resources

Quick Guide: Universal Design for All

 

Common Elements

These things are common to all applications, but the method may be different for each. Go to the instructions for the specific application for details.  

  • Alternate Text: Every image needs a text alternative (alt text) that provides an equivalent to the image content. This will allow screen reader techology to read a description of the image for people who can not see the image in context with the content on the page. 

  • Clearly Structured Content: Your content should organized using headings and lists found under the Paragraph and Styles sections of your application.
    • Headings should be added in hierarchical order: Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, etc.
    • You can have mulitiple sub-headings with the same Heading hierarchy, but you should never skip heading numbers moving forward. (i.e. Heading 1, Sub-heading 2, 2, Sub-sub-heading 3, 3, 3, Sub-sub-sub-heading 4, etc.)
    • You can skip to previous numbers if you are starting a new section (i.e. sub-sub-sub-heading 4 to sub-heading 2). 

    • Only use one Heading 1 per document or web page. 

  • Ensure Link Text Makes Sense Out of Context: Using link text like "click here" or "learn more," is confusing for screen reading technology, as they provide no context. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can understand where the link will go without any text around it. 

  • Don't Use Full URLs As Link Text: For printed fliers, brochures, long form documents, use shortened "vanity URLs" (contact the Web and Social Media Office) or add a QR code. Of online web pages or PDF file should use links with accessible link text. 

  • Color Blind-Friendly Colors: Make sure the contrast of text and background colors are high enough to meet accessibility standards. Use this Contrast Checker tool to help choose your text and background colors. Avoid layering text on top of images unless your text is large and bold enough to stand out.

  • Provide Video Captions and Transcripts: Essential for ADA compliant content. SMC hosts all videos on YouTube and videos will not be added to the SMC website unless closed captions are available. YouTube will automatically generate captions for videos stored on their platform, but they should be checked for spelling and punctuation. Embedded captions in the video is not a substitute for the closed caption option on videos.

  • Audio Descriptions: Videos with only embedded captions to describe the action should include a narrator that reads the text. 

  • Make All PDFs Accessible or Ditch Them: PDF files should be "readable" text. PDF files of graphics are not accessible. PDF files use "tags" to provide a hidden structured, textual representation of the PDF content that is presented to screen readers. They exist for accessibility purposes only and have no visible effect on the PDF file. PDF files are difficult to edit. However, most are created from an "original" version (MS Word, etc.), so if the original version is accessible, the PDF tags will automatically be in place when the file is saved or exported as a PDF file.

Federal Standards and Guidelines

Because the SMC website is a public, government communications platform, carefully review federal standards and guidelines below on how to ensure a positive, accessible user experience for students and staff.

Free Assistance

Take advantage of resources for captioning, distance education, and more from Chancellor’s Office:

Contact