Digital Accessibility Resources

Join the Ross Digital Accessibility Workgroup

Ross IT is looking for digital accessibility advocates who can help spread awareness & information about U-M’s Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative, in addition to content editors that have the ability to remediate accessibility issues.

If you have an interest, please contact rossaccessibility@umich.edu for more information!

Our mission is to champion the University of Michigan’s Digital Accessibility Initiative, as guided by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, SPG 601.20, and WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We strive to remove barriers, foster collaboration across all units, and provide resources, training, and strategic support that empower every member of our campus community to create, share, and utilize digital content equitably.

We envision a University of Michigan where inclusivity and universal design are woven into our digital endeavors—supporting academic excellence, innovative research, and transformative healthcare. By working in partnership with the ADA Coordinator and campus stakeholders, we will cultivate a culture of continual improvement, ensuring our digital tools and communications reflect the highest accessibility standards and drive equitable outcomes for all.

At the Ross School of Business, we are committed to making our digital spaces inclusive and accessible. Ross IT is dedicated to integrating accessibility best practices into our digital resources to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can easily access our content. We align our efforts with the University’s Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative.

For more details on the guiding policies and strategies, please see the Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative under the University’s Digital Accessibility website.

Ross IT Partnership & Guidance

We are here to partner with you and your unit to help facilitate the University of Michigan Digital Accessibility resources and strategies to be successful in implementing the University’s Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative.

This partnership will include:

By serving as a bridge to these robust central resources, Ross IT ensures that all Ross units can easily access the guidance they need to meet the digital accessibility strategic initiative.

Tools & Resources

Many tools and resources can be found through the Digital Accessibility at the University of Michigan website. We will outline some available tools provided and suggest best practices as it relates to our Michigan Ross digital environment.

At the University of Michigan, designing accessible courses is essential for fostering an inclusive learning environment. The U-M Digital Accessibility website provides detailed guidance to help educators ensure that course content and online platforms meet accessibility standards.

For more comprehensive information, please refer to the following resources:

Key Considerations for Accessible Courses

  • Inclusive Course Materials:
    Ensure that all course documents, multimedia content, and presentation materials are designed with accessibility in mind. This includes using clear headings, appropriate contrast, and providing alternative text for images and graphics.
  • Accessible Syllabi and Content:
    Develop syllabi and instructional materials that are easy to navigate and compatible with assistive technologies. Consistent formatting and the use of plain language are highly recommended.
  • Multimedia Accessibility:
    Incorporate captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for videos and audio recordings. This not only benefits students with disabilities but enhances the learning experience for all.
  • Interactive Tools and Assessments:
    When designing quizzes, discussion forums, and other interactive components, use tools that support accessibility features. Verify that learning management systems, such as Canvas, are set up to accommodate assistive technologies. Learn more about Canvas Accessibility tools

Guidance for Canvas Courses

  • Accessible Canvas Design:
    Follow the specific guidelines provided for Canvas courses to ensure that course navigation, assignments, and discussion boards are accessible. This includes setting up proper headings, using accessible templates, and integrating tools that support screen readers.
  • Utilizing Built-In Tools:
    Canvas includes several features to help maintain accessibility standards. Familiarize yourself with these tools and incorporate them into your course design to ensure a seamless experience for all students.

In addition to the resources on the Document Accessibility page, below are some additional tips and tools to help you create and verify accessible documents:

  • Built-In Accessibility Checkers
    Many document creation tools—such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel—include built-in accessibility checkers. Use these features to scan your documents for issues before publishing.
  • PDF Accessibility Tools
    When working with PDF Accessibility, Adobe Acrobat offers an Accessibility Checker that can help identify and fix issues, ensuring that your PDF files meet accessibility standards. Training: Learn more in PDF Accessibility Basic Training (U-M Canvas)
  • Online Validators
    Consider using online tools like the PAC PDF Accessibility Checker or the WebAIM WAVE tool. These resources can analyze your documents and web content, providing actionable feedback on improving accessibility. U-M currently uses Axe Monitoring
  • Best Practices in Document Design
    • Use clear headings and consistent styles to help users navigate your document.
    • Include meaningful alternative text for images, charts, and graphics.
    • Ensure that tables are well-structured with proper header cells.
    • Use descriptive link text that conveys context.
    • For U-M Document Checklists see, Checklist for Google Docs, Checklist for Word Docs, and Checklist for Google Slides
  • Leverage Central University Resources
    The university offers foundational training and detailed how to guides on creating accessible digital content. Ross IT can help you connect with these centralized resources to further enhance your document accessibility skills.

By combining these tools and practices with the guidelines on the Document Accessibility page, you’ll be well-equipped to create documents that are inclusive and accessible for all users.

Accessibility Checklist for Ross Content Managers

Ross IT created the following checklist with tips and resources for maximizing accessibility in Ross department websites. For additional detail, we’ve included references to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

  • Proper Heading Structure  (WCAG reference)
    Implement ARIA landmarks and roles to enhance the semantic information of web pages, helping users with screen readers to navigate and understand the content structure more efficiently.
  • Make Link Text Meaningful (WCAG reference)
    Write link text so that it describes the content of the link target. Avoid using ambiguous link text, such as ‘click here’ or ‘read more’. Indicate relevant information about the link target, such as document type and size, for example, ‘Proposal Documents (RTF, 20MB)’.
  • Alternative Text for Images (WCAG reference)
    Provide meaningful alternative text for all images to convey the same message or function to users who rely on screen readers. The ALT text should be described in a contextual manner in relation to the content.
  • Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design (WCAG reference)
    Design your content to be easily navigable and readable on a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets, accommodating users with varying screen sizes and resolutions.
  • Color Contrast Ratios (WCAG reference)
    Adhere to WCAG guidelines for text and background color contrast to ensure readability for users with visual impairments, aiming for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text.

Education & Awareness

Providing education and raising awareness about digital accessibility is crucial for several reasons:

  • Equitable Access: It ensures that all students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities, can access learning materials and university services on an equal basis.
  • Legal Compliance: Universities must adhere to legal standards and policies, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to avoid discrimination and create an inclusive environment.
  • Enhanced Learning and User Experience: Accessible digital resources improve overall usability, benefiting everyone—including individuals using assistive technologies.
  • Culture of Inclusion: Promoting awareness helps build a more inclusive campus culture, encouraging everyone to consider diverse needs in digital design and innovation.
  • Skill Development: Educating the university community equips future professionals with the skills to develop accessible technologies, furthering societal progress in accessibility.

In essence, educating on digital accessibility not only meets legal and ethical responsibilities but also enriches the university’s academic environment and community.

Other Tools & Resources not provided by U-M

WCAG (Website Content Accessibility Guidelines) Tips

Last Updated on May 10, 2025