Usability & Accessibility

Accessibility Standards

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that disabled employees and members of the public be provided access to information that is comparable to access available to others. Institutions under the Board of Regents are required to ensure that electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Basic Standards & Tips:

  • Provide a text equivalent for every non-text item.  
  • Do not use videos as primary sources of information. Any time a video is used to present information, that same information should also be available to the user in text format. Videos must also include captioning.
  • Webpages need to be able to be read with and without color.
  • No flashing images, text, or pages.
  • Use tables sparingly. Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.
  • Do not create images of words. This includes Word Art and picture of words. Words saved as images are not editable or accessible to people with disabilities. A pdf file may be an option as long as text isn't flattened into the image.

Metadata Promotes Accessibility

File names help to optimize content for users who are searching for information via search engines; as such utilize accurate and descriptive file names for webpages, documents, and images.

Benefits of complete Metadata:
  • Webpages are more accessible to users with disabilities
  • Search engines can more easily find information and pages on the website
  • Finding and editing webpages are easier for web editors
  • Duplicate pages and information are less likely to be created

 

Learn More about Accessibility

Davin Miller

Correct, up-to-date and accessible content is the most important aspect of creating a webpage.

Register for Accessibility Compliance Training

Usability Standards

When creating and editing content on the website, utilize the coherent and consistent layout created for your department/division. Having a consistent design across the entire website allows for better navigation and a more enjoyable user experience.

Questions to consider when creating/editing webpages:

  • How easy is it for users to navigate/use the site for the first time?
      Very Easy
  • How quickly can first time users perform tasks?
      Very Quickly
  • How long does it take a user to feel comfortable using the site?
      Not Long
  • How many errors can a user make?
      Very Few
  • How pleasant is it to use the site?
      Very

Tips to Remember:

  • Make sure each page has a clear goal.
  • Use a strong keyword strategy for people & search engines.
  • Try to make the department landing page (index page) inviting, by using:
    • High-quality images (though they must be less than 1MB in size)
    • Brief summaries
    • Clear, concise information
    • Highlights for important information 

Content Guidelines