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Digital Accessibility Guidelines

OIT is committed to supporting universal access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Ohio University. Improving accessibility makes technologies like websites, apps, software, documents and videos easier for everyone to use, including people with disabilities.

Ohio University has adopted the guidelines developed by the WC3 and is working toward WCAG 2.0 AA compliance. The WCAG working group has defined four principles for ICT accessibility.

Information & Communication Technology should be:

  • Perceivable
    • Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
  • Operable
    • User interface components and navigation must be operable
  • Understandable
    • Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable
  • Robust
    • Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

Each of these principles has guidelines that are explained on the WAI website, and there are quite a few tools, some of which are listed in our resources, to help developers and contributors meet the AA standards.

WCAG 2.0 compliance was one of the highest priorities for Ohio University in choosing a new content management system. Our Web CMS installation provides many safeguards, like requiring alternative descriptions for images and using templates with consistent navigation for content contributors as they add and change content on University web pages.

Functional Performance Criteria 

This list of criteria developed by the U.S. Access Board provides clear guidance for how information and communication technology (ICT) should work for people living with varying disabilities:

302 Functional Performance Criteria (Revised)

302.1 Without Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user vision.

302.2 With Limited Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited vision.

302.3 Without Perception of Color. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one visual mode of operation that does not require user perception of color.

302.4 Without Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user hearing.

302.5 With Limited Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited hearing.

302.6 Without Speech. Where speech is used for input, control, or operation, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user speech.

302.7 With Limited Manipulation. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous manual operations.

302.8 With Limited Reach and Strength. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that is operable with limited reach and limited strength.

302.9 With Limited Language, Cognitive, and Learning Abilities. ICT shall provide features making its use by individuals with limited cognitive, language, and learning abilities simpler and easier.

 

Learn more about creating and contributing to accessible websites.