It’s easy to get caught up in the sheer speed of digital creation. New websites, platforms, and content pop up daily, each aiming to inform, engage, or serve a purpose. But have you ever stopped to think about who might be left out? At Dakota State University, they've been thinking about this a lot, leading to a clear Digital Accessibility Policy. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and use the digital tools and information the university provides.
This policy isn't just a set of abstract rules; it's a call to action for site owners, content managers, and tech folks. It outlines how to approach digital accessibility remediation, which essentially means fixing what’s not working for some users. The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee (DASC) plays a key role here. They look at how essential a website is to university functions, whether a redesign is already on the horizon, and who the audience is – internal staff, students, or the wider public. These factors help them decide where to focus remediation efforts first.
Once a site is flagged, it goes to the Digital Accessibility Committee (DAC) for a closer look. The DAC then reaches out to the site owner and content owner, providing information and pointing them towards resources. They can even help map out a plan, suggesting everything from small, ongoing updates by existing staff to more significant overhauls or even migrating to a new platform. The expectation is that site owners will report back on their progress, showing the work being done and the improvements being made.
Now, how do you actually check if a website is accessible? The reference material highlights a crucial point: automated tools are fantastic for speeding things up and for regular monitoring, but they aren't the whole story. Think of them like a quick scan; they can catch a lot, but they can't tell you everything. That's where human evaluation comes in. At DSU, they've invested in tools like SiteImprove to help with this monitoring and reporting for their domains.
Manual testing is a big part of this. This involves using assistive technologies (like screen readers), testing with keyboard navigation only, and carefully reviewing the content itself. It’s about experiencing the website as someone with different needs might. Beyond that, an expert review can offer a much deeper dive. An experienced professional can identify nuanced issues and provide very specific recommendations for improvement. If needed, the university can even help identify reputable third-party services for these in-depth evaluations.
And it’s not just about web pages. Multimedia, like videos and audio, needs careful consideration too. For videos, synchronized, accurate closed captions are a must. If there’s visual information that isn’t conveyed through audio – like on-screen text, graphics, or actions – descriptive audio becomes essential. For podcasts and audio files, accurate transcripts are key. These transcripts should be easily accessible, either right on the page with the audio player or linked nearby. The goal is to ensure that the spoken word and important sounds are captured in text, and that visual elements are described for those who can't see them.
It’s a comprehensive approach, really. It acknowledges that digital accessibility isn't a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment. By combining automated checks with thorough human evaluation and a focus on diverse content types, institutions can move towards creating truly inclusive digital environments where everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and engage.
