Digital Accessibility Policies

The university created the Digital Accessibility at the University of Michigan website to inform the campus community of the requirements of digital accessibility and offer tips on how to make your website and digital content compliant.

This work falls under U-M SPG 601.20, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility.

From U-M Office for Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX:

Digital accessibility involves designing, creating, and maintaining media, websites, applications, and documents so they can be used by the broadest possible audience of people with disabilities, including those individuals who use assistive technology.

Federal Rules & Guidelines

The Department of Justice recently, in early 2024, enacted a series of rules governing digital accessibility as part of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The university falls under these rules, and there is a current push to ensure that all digital content adheres to them.

Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments

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.

U-M Resources & Training

WCAG (Website Content Accessibility Guidelines) Tips

Last Updated on May 10, 2025