Does my content or website need to be accessible?

Yes. The University of Oregon ICT Accessibility Policy, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require that our digital content be accessible to people with disabilities. 

Learn more about digital accessibility at UO.

I haven't received any complaints about anyone not being able to use my content or website. Does this still apply to me?

Yes. We have an obligation to ensure that our digital content is proactively accessible, not just to provide reactive accommodations. Creating additional barriers for people with disabilities, like requiring them to ask for accessible content, does not result in equity. People who are unable to use inaccessible content or websites don't always report these issues, and may instead struggle to use them or give up on using them.

Is there some standard that my website needs to adhere to?

The University of Oregon uses Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA for websites and digital documents and Section 508 (2018 Revision) standards for software and hardware.

I found a plugin or overlay that says it will make my website accessible. Can I use that?

No. While there are many companies marketing "accessibility overlays" and other products that they claim will fix your site automatically, they not only do not achieve those goals, but have also been found to make websites less accessible to people with disabilities. For more information, visit the Overlay Fact Sheet.

Are there tools that can evaluate my content or website to determine whether it's accessible?

No. While there are many automated scanners available to test websites and many products have built-in scanners (e.g., Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat), automated scanners can only detect a small percentage of accessibility issues. While these tools can be helpful to check for some issues, manual evaluation is the only way to ensure that a document or website is accessible.

What if I can't make my ICT services accessible?

Exemptions are only granted for exceptional circumstances, such as using an inaccessible third-party service where there are no accessible alternates. Acceptable cases for exemptions are listed on the ICT Accessibility Procedures page. Note that cost of fixing an accessibility issue is not a valid cause for granting an exception. If you believe your ICT services qualify for an exemption, contact the Digital Accessibility Architect. You will need to create an Equally Effective Alternative Action Plan and will need official approval of your exemption request. 

I reviewed my content or website and I think it has accessibility issues. I don't have a strong technical background, what should I do?

There are self evaluation resources that might help you fix some of these issues yourself, and if you still have questions, contact the Digital Accessibility Architect to set up a consultation.