Digital Accessibility Tips

Web accessibility means that websites, tools and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.

All visitors should be able to perceive, understand, navigate, interact with and contribute to the web.

General Information

• Present information in a simple, straightforward manner with minimal formatting. As often as possible, present information as text on a screen, not as an embedded or downloadable document.
• Downloading or navigating PDFs and other formats (PPTs, Excel, Word etc.) can be difficult for people using screen readers or mobile devices. In addition, website text is more easily translated.
• Avoid the use of color to signal difference (for example, “Circle items marked in red.”) Use other cues, such as arranging information into lists or columns, or marking items with icons or typographic markings.

• Use headings to convey meaning (i.e., to indicate the beginning of a new section of content), rather than bold or underlined text. Make sure your headings follow a consistent, hierarchical structure. Do not style text as a heading if it's not a heading.

• Use native tools to format content. For example, if the platform or program has tools to create headings or bulleted lists, or to adjust spacing, use those tools instead of “faking it” with special characters, extra hard returns, etc. 

Website

• Always embed "alt text," a written description of an image, into photos. Processes to do this will vary by platform.
• Always use descriptive language describing where you are taking a user when setting up a hyperlink or a button. Avoid using "Click here" or "Learn more." 

Video

• Always upload videos with captions. YouTube has captioning resources. However, it's important that captions are thoroughly reviewed before sharing.
• Ensure that auto-playing features for videos or audio is turned off on your website.

Finalsite Resources

The Finalsite platform, which houses the elementary, middle school and district webpages has built in features to support accessibility. These features include:

• An accessibility "helper" that runs automated checks on the accessibility of content created by web administrators.
• Built-in tools to embed alt text into images and PDFs.
• A super translator tool that will translate all text native to the site into multiple languages. Web users access this tool using the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of each webpage.
• Guidance on accessibility topics, such as How to Make a PDF Accessible on Your School's Website.