Do you have a question about digital accessibility? Email us to schedule a 30-minute appointment so that we can answer any digital accessibility questions you may have!
CWRU Background and Policy
Digital accessibility professional development demonstrates a personal commitment to providing an equal experience for students faced with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities or impairments. We acknowledge that digital accessibility is an iterative process that requires support, knowledge, and skills training.
Our Digital Accessibility Policy promotes compliance with relevant local, state, and federal regulations, laws, and guidance. When working on your content, whether you're developing from scratch, simply making copy changes, or adding a photo, you need to keep accessibility in mind so that you comply with university standards and federal law.
What We Offer
To support our university community, the digital accessibility team offers various services, organized into three main categories: training, support and engagement.
Self-Paced Training For Faculty
No prior training or experience needed to start!
Description: This self-paced training, designed for faculty, provides resources to help get you started with digital accessibility
Skills you'll gain: Core principles of digital accessibility, accessible content creation, Canvas accessibility, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office accessibility and more
[U]Tech Basic Digital Accessibility Self-Paced Training
No prior training or experience needed to start!
Description: Earn the [U]Tech Basic Digital Accessibility LinkedIn Learning Certificate through six comprehensive modules. Members from the [U]Tech department will embark on a journey covering a wide range of digital accessibility topics, from fundamental concepts to best practices.
Skills you'll gain: Define digital accessibility, identify accessibility barriers, understand the function of assistive technologies, apply Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) best practices for digital content, collaborate with vendors to ensure product accessibility and more
Support
Engagement
New! Digital Accessibility Open Office Hours
Join us each Tuesday from 12:30-1 PM for our Digital Accessibility Open Office Hours.
Why Is Digital Accessibility Important?
Digital accessibility standards ensure that everyone can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with information on the internet, regardless of ability. At Case Western Reserve University, this means our websites, social media accounts, applications, and content available online—including images, videos, and documents—need to meet specific guidelines relating to how elements look, sound, and interact.
Guidelines and Best Practices for Web Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning
Case Western Reserve University strives to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA (WCAG). These guidelines ensure that students using assistive devices can access our websites and online content effectively. To achieve this, we must ensure that our websites and online materials are designed correctly to allow all users to access information seamlessly.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a scientifically valid framework utilized to advance educational content and instruction to meet the needs of all learners. (Source: Higher Education Opportunity Act 2008). UDL provides flexibility in the manner information is presented, and in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills. The aim is to make learning accessible and effective for all students, regardless of their individual learning preferences, abilities, or disabilities.
How Digital Accessibility Benefits Everyone
By engaging in training and support, you improve the user experience, drive innovation, and grow through unity and transparency. Your efforts to create accessible content improve the environment for everyone at Case Western Reserve.