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Website Content Accessibility Resources

An accessible website improves the overall user experience and satisfaction across different devices and user demographics. It enhances our brand and extends our prospective reach. Ultimately, an accessible website enables easier access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities.

Introduction to Web Accessibility and W3C Standards

Source: (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative). Accessed .

Purpose and Scope

This guide supports faculty and staff who create or publish electronic materials on behalf of SMSU. It applies to:

  • Course content in D2L Brightspace (pages, files, links, media, assessments, and embedded content).

  • Public-facing SMSU web content (department pages, program pages, announcements, and downloads).

  • Common shared materials, including documents, presentations, PDFs, images, audio, and video.

The goal is to reduce barriers by using accessible authoring practices and selecting accessible tools and content formats. Detailed format-by-format checks belong in the SMSU accessibility checklist referenced below.

Audience

This resource guide is intended for SMSU employees and student staff who publish or distribute electronic materials for:

  • Instruction (credit-bearing and non-credit courses, online and in-person).

  • Public information (web pages, PDFs, event notices, marketing materials, and outreach).

  • Administrative and service information that students and the public need to use.

Core Standards and Expectations

ADA Title II

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule under ADA Title II that sets technical requirements for web content and mobile apps that public entities provide or make available.

  • Standard baseline: WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the referenced standard in the rule.

  • Compliance date: April 24, 2026

For definitions, exceptions, and timelines, consult the official rule sources listed in External Authoritative Resources.

Things to Remember

  • Content on the web is always more accessible in a webpage than in an external file, such as a PDF or Microsoft Document.

  • Webpages are more discoverable and searchable.

  • Publicly available files must legally comply with ADA Title II guidelines and WCAG 2.1+ standards.

Key Questions for Web Content

  • Is the information meant to be read online?
    • In either case, adding the content as a webpage is preferred. Webpages don't require special software beyond a browser to display content responsively to screen size. Webpages can also be printed on paper or other file formats for offline viewing.

  • Will the information be updated frequently?
    • Again, in either case, creating the content as a webpage allows it to be accessed more quickly and updated as needed through our Content Management System. This is preferable to having to update a source document, make accessibility fixes, export it, re-upload it, and update all links to it across your webpages.

  • Would the information be just as easily printed from a webpage?
    • Our website's template provides a print stylesheet that allows users to print webpage content. Unless the content is a poster or flyer, it should be added to the website as a webpage. Note: Even posters or flyers need to comply with accessibility standards.

  • Have I run an accessibility check on the file I'm about to upload?
    • If not, please do so and make sure it passes all accessibility checks before uploading the document. You can also use the resources listed below to check your document for accessibility issues.

    • Please reach out to the Web Office or a member of the COLT staff if you need assistance making your documents accessible.

Third-Party and Publisher Content

ADA Title II expectations apply to web content a public entity provides or makes available, including content that is linked, embedded, or delivered through third-party and publisher platforms. When there are concerns about the accessibility of third-party or publisher content used for instruction or public information, contact Accessibility Services to report the issue and receive guidance on next steps.

Next step for concerns: Contact Accessibility Services using the information in SMSU Support and Contacts. Include the course or page, a link to the content, and a brief description of the barrier.

Accessibility Resources

General

ADA Title II Web and Mobile Content Rule

  • website

  • website

WCAG Standard

  • website

  • website

Documents, Media, and Plain Language

  •   website

  •   website

  •   website

  •   website
  •   website

  •   website

  •   video

  •   video

  •   videos

Word Documents

  •   website

  •   video

  •   website

PowerPoints

  •   website

PDFs

Tables

  •   video

Charts and Graphs

  •   video

  •   website

Maps

  •   website

  •   video

Helpful Accessibility Tools

  • The WAVE Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions let you evaluate web content for accessibility issues directly in your browser.


  • The Contrast Checker tool lets you check the contrast ratio between a foreground and background color to see if it meets WCAG guidelines. WCAG 2.0 level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for standard text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 for graphics and user interface components (such as form input borders).

Support and Contacts

Use the contacts below to request help, report barriers, or coordinate accessibility support for course or public materials.

Center for Learning and Teaching (COLT)

Brightspace support, course design consultation, and teaching and learning resources.


Web Office

Public-facing web publishing support and web accessibility resources.


Communications and Marketing

Support for public communications, marketing materials, and related digital content requests.


Information Technology Services (ITS)

Technology support and the Technology Resource Center (TRC).


Accessibility Services

Support for access, barrier reporting, and accessibility guidance for students and the SMSU community.

Last Modified: 12/29/25 2:00 PM | Website Feedback