Websites and Accessibility Overview

Auburn University is committed to making its public-facing websites and web-based applications accessible. Read the Auburn University Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy, revised June 27, 2024, promotes Universal Design, which ensures sustainable, long-term compliance and a culture of excellence.

Auburn University also has requirements and approval policy that relate to procuring accessible technology to guide the purchase and development of accessible technology applications and products that may be used as course materials. 

On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s (Department) final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, please read the Fact Sheet: New Rules on the Accessiblity of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments. 

Website accessibility is the practice of designing and building websites, apps, and digital tools so they can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It focuses on removing barriers that can prevent people from accessing content or completing tasks online.

The goal of website accessibility is to enable users to navigate and interact with a website, including using interactive features such as forms, chat boxes, comment fields, and tools for creating their own content. 

An accessible website is designed for everyone to perceive, operate, and understand by adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Key factors include keyboard-only navigation, high-contrast text, alt text for images, captions for video, and semantic HTML that works with screen readers. 

It is strongly recommended that course materials and information be shared to students through the Canvas learning managment system. Using Canvas helps reduces accessbility barriers for students. Canvas uses HTML which makes text more adaptable for different screen sizes and works well with screen readers. 

For more information on creating accessible course content in Canvas, refer to the Canvas Accessibility section.

Use the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) to evaluate a website you want to use for teaching. WAVE is a free automatic accessibility tool that can help find potential accessiblity issues.

No automatic accessiblity scanner can find all accessiblity issues on a website, so manual testing may also be required to check a website for accessibility.

How to use Wave?

  1. Go to WAVE.
  2. Type or paste the URL of you site into the box provided.
  3. Click the arrow button or tap the Enter key.
  4. A summary of the website's accessibility is presented in the following categories:
    • Errors
    • Alerts
    • Features
    • Structural Elements
    • HTML5 and ARIA
    • Color Contrast Errors

What do WAVE errors mean?

A WAVE report flags potential accessiblity barriers which vary in impact. Review the report and consider the following:

  • Are the inaccessible elements central to learning (instructions, assessments, required readings, etc.)?
  • Or are they peripheral (decorative images, side navigation)?

What should I do if I want to use a website with accessibilty issues?

  1. Provide an alternative path:

    • Provide the same content in Canvas.

    • Summarize or replicate key activities in an accessible document.

    • Offer an alternative assignment that meets the same learning objetives. 

  2. Document your decision and mitgation (this is important):

    • Save the WAVE report.

    • Note the accessbility issues identified, whther the issues affect required learning tasks, and what alternative access you are providing (if any).

  3. Contact the website owner or choose a more accessible option. 

    • Ask the website owner if an accessible version exists.

    • Consider whether another tool meets the same learning objectiv with fewer barriers.

What is best practice for evaluating and using a website for teaching?

You can proceed to use a website for teaching if all three of the following are true:

  1. You reviewed the WAVE errors and understand them.

  2. No student is blocked from completing the required learning tasks.

  3. You have an accessible alternative ready if needed. 

If any one of the above is false, adjust how you will use the website for teaching and learning. 

 


eAccessibility Academy