What is digital accessibility?
Accessibility on the web means ensuring that websites, web content, and documents can be accessed and used by people of all abilities. For example, text on a website needs to be able to be read aloud by assistive technologies such as screen readers. Videos need captions for hearing-impaired users. Images need to have alt-text to describe the website content to assistive technologies and users with low vision.
Digital accessibility not only benefits users with permanent disabilities, it also enhances the overall user experience, boosts search engine optimization (SEO), and reflects our values as an inclusive institution. As a university at the forefront of accessibility, we should strive to make our web content functional, understandable, and operable for users of all abilities. Compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standards is not only a legal requirement, but also a reflection of our commitment to equity and excellence. When our content is easy to navigate and engage with, we strengthen our reputation among prospective students, parents, and faculty as a world-class university.
How can I make my website accessible?
Most of the major elements of your website are made accessible through the Illinois Framework Theme. This theme is created and maintained by designers and developers across the University as part of the Website Implementation Guidelines Group (WIGG). This group ensures that theme colors, typography, buttons, and design elements are within the WCAG 2.2 guidelines for accessibility. As content editors, you are responsible for ensuring that the content, media, and documents you post to your site fit into this accessible framework. If you notice any issues or have ideas to enhance our web accessibility, please email las-web@illinois.edu or visit the WIGG community website to report issues or give feedback.