One of the Core Value areas guiding Case Western Reserve University is Inclusiveness and Diversity. Our Digital Accessibility Policy promotes compliance with relevant local, state, and federal regulations, laws, and guidance.
Here you will be able to find CWRU’s Digital Accessibility resource guides designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to create inclusive digital experiences on campus. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, our guides cover everything from what digital accessibility is to advanced web design principles and multimedia accessibility. You'll gain the skills and understanding of how to create accessible materials to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully engage with your digital content.
Check out our Resource Guides
For quick access, select our category links below to navigate to the specific resource guide table.
Overview of Digital Accessibility defines what digital accessibility is, and provides an introduction to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Universal Design for Learning.
Accessibility Testing/Tools introduces screen readers and lists accessibility tools plus testing resources available.
Accessible Document Design discusses design and formatting best practices such as accessible color contrast, writing descriptive hyperlinks, and writing alternative text.
Google Workspace Accessibility introduces Grackle as an accessibility checker for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
Microsoft Office Accessibility explores the built-in accessibility checker in all Microsoft Office products.
Canvas Accessibility provides resources on accessible formatting as well as how to check for accessibility issues in Canvas.
Video and Audio Accessibility Tools explain the tools and processes to create accessible video and audio content.
PDF Accessibility contains resources on how to create and remediate PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Web Accessibility has resources on how to create accessible web content.
To access the guides, select the title of the resource guide inside the table and sign in with your CWRU ID and password to access it.
Overview of Digital Accessibility
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| Title | Description |
|---|---|
What is Digital Accessibility? |
This guide breaks down the definitions and provides real-world examples of accessibility on the web, documents, multimedia content, and more. |
Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) Guidelines |
This guide thoroughly explores the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), detailing the core principles—Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust—to ensure your digital content is accessible and user-friendly for all audiences. |
Universal Design for Learning |
This guide offers an overview of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, providing educators and designers with the tools to create inclusive learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles and student’s need |
Accessibility Testing/Tools
Return to the table category list
| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Introduction to Screen Readers |
This guide introduces screen readers, focusing on the installation and usage of NVDA, a widely used assistive technology. |
Read&Write |
This guide explores Read&Write, an easy-to-use text-to-speech accessibility program, covering everything from installation to practical usage tips. |
WAVE |
This web page, created by University Marketing and Communications, offers comprehensive resources on the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation tool, including links to various web accessibility checkers and an on-campus assistance form. |
Accessible Document Design
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Color Contrast |
This guide offers an overview of color contrast, detailing the different types and providing essential resources to check color contrast ratios. |
Descriptive Hyperlinks |
This guide provides clear instructions on adding and editing hyperlinks, along with tips for crafting descriptive and unique links. |
Effective Academic Alt Text |
This guide explains the importance of alt text and provides how to write alt text through examples from various academic disciplines. |
Google Workspace Accessibility
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Grackle for Google Workspace |
This guide introduces Grackle with instructions on how to download and use it to address common accessibility issues in Google Workspace. |
Microsoft Office accessibility
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Microsoft Accessibility Checker |
This guide introduces the accessibility checker in Microsoft Office, detailing how to use it in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to ensure your documents are inclusive and accessible. |
Creating Accessible Headings, Lists, and Tables in Microsoft Office |
This guide provides detailed instructions for creating accessible headings, lists, and tables in Microsoft Office. |
PowerPoint Accessibility Checker |
This guide offers practical tips for creating accessible presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, ensuring your slides are inclusive and engaging. |
Microsoft Copilot |
This guide explores the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot, highlighting how it enhances accessibility by generating alt text, transcribing handwritten documents, and more. |
Canvas Accessibility
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Accessible Headings, Lists, and Tables in Canvas |
This guide provides clear instructions for creating accessible headings, lists, and tables in Canvas, ensuring your materials are accessible and well-structured. |
Adding Captions in Canvas Ally |
This guide is your go-to resource for enhancing video accessibility in Canvas Ally, offering step-by-step instructions on uploading videos and integrating captioning. |
Video and Audio Accessibility Tools
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Accessible Videos |
This guide provides best practices for creating accessible videos, covering features such as captions and descriptive transcripts to ensure inclusivity for all viewers. |
Echo360 |
This guide explains how to use Echo360 to edit transcripts and apply them as closed captions, ensuring your videos are accessible. |
YouTube Captions |
This guide provides clear instructions on how to edit captions using YouTube, ensuring your videos are accessible and engaging. |
Zoom Captions |
This guide explains how to create an audio transcript in Zoom and display it as closed captions. |
PDF Accessibility
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| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
Adobe Acrobat Pro |
This guide walks you through downloading Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and provides straightforward steps for making PDFs accessible. |
PDF Remediation Workflow |
This guide outlines the accessibility tools available in Adobe Acrobat Pro and provides a step-by-step workflow for creating accessible PDFs. |
Accessible Forms in Adobe Acrobat |
This guide offers a detailed walkthrough on how to create accessible forms with Adobe Acrobat Pro. |
Web Accessibility
Return to the table category list
| Resource Guides | Description |
|---|---|
University Marketing and Communication's Digital Accessibility Guidelines |
This web page provides an in-depth look at the POUR principles of web content accessibility and other best practices to ensure your digital communications are inclusive and accessible to all. |
Keyboard Accessibility |
This guide explains the concept of keyboard accessibility and outlines how to structure your content to be functional for keyboard users. |
Code Blocks for Web Developers |
This guide highlights the advantages of code documentation and explains the use of anchor links. |
Accessible Forms in HTML |
This guide emphasizes the significance of creating accessible forms and provides examples of HTML form elements. |