Items on this checklist meet or exceed Quality Course Review requirements.
This checklist is available for copy or download in the Digital accessibility planning workbook.
Headings
Accessibility requirements
- Use headings to structure content.
- Format headings using the text editor.
- Nest headings properly (e.g. Heading 2, Heading 3, Heading 4).
Common mistakes
- Avoid creating headings by manually changing font size and style.
- Avoid skipping heading levels.
Resources
List
Accessibility requirement
- Use available formatting options to create unordered or numbered lists.
Common mistake
- Avoid creating lists manually by adding numbers, asterisks, hyphens, etc.
Resources
Images and visuals
Visuals include: images, infographics, screenshots, data visualizations, equations, graphs, etc.
Accessibility requirements
- Include alternative text descriptions to all visuals used in course material.
- When visuals are used solely for aesthetic purposes, mark them as decorative.
- Use searchable PDFs. Non-searchable PDFs are treated as images by screen readers.
Common mistakes
- Avoid marking as decorative visuals that do contribute to understanding.
- Avoid using file names as alt text.
- Refrain from using non-searchable, scanned PDFs. Screen reader users will not be able to access them.
Resources
- Digital accessibility for PDFs
- Including alternative text for image accessibility
- Implementing accessibility skills: Images and alternative text
- Implementing accessibility skills: Equations
Color
Accessibility requirement
- Use high-contrast color combinations.
Common mistake
- Avoid using color alone for emphasis. Use other visual clues (such as font size or styling) in addition to color.
Resources
Media
Accessibility requirements
- Provide transcripts for audio recordings.
- Provide captions available for videos.
- Make sure videos can be paused or stopped (i.e., videos on loop).
Common mistake
- Refrain from using videos (including GIFs) that contain flashing/blinking content.
Resources
Links
Accessibility requirement
- Use descriptive and meaningful hyperlinks. Hyperlink text must indicate the content of the link clearly (e.g. “Learn about tech support options on our website”)
Common mistakes
- Avoid using non-specific text such as “click here” in hyperlinks.
- Refrain from using plain URLs (e.g., https://tdx.umsystem.edu/TDClient/66/MOOnline/Home/).
Resources
Tables
Accessibility requirement
- Define defined header cells in tables. Header cells label rows and columns to structure the table. They indicate how to navigate it.
Common mistakes
- Avoid using split or merged cells in tables.
Resources
Tools and resources
- Tools-based digital accessibility checklist
- TidyUP is a tool that allows you to identify and remove unused content in your course site.
- UDOIT is a tool that allows you to identify and address many digital accessibility barriers in your course.