Create Accessible Digital Content
Learn how to create accessible content across all commonly used platforms. These guides will help ensure your materials are usable for all students, including those with disabilities.
Web & Social Media Accessibility
Our community is committed to ensuring accessibility across its digital platforms, with dedicated efforts focused on both web content and social media. Web accessibility reviews prioritize inclusive design, clear navigation and compliance with accessibility standards for all university websites. Social media accessibility focuses on best practices such as alt text, video captions and accessible formatting to reach a broader audience. Together, these efforts support a cohesive, inclusive digital presence that reflects the university’s commitment to equity and community engagement.
Tools
University Communications and W&M IT utilize various accessibility tools in their design and development efforts, along with free or paid options for creating accessible digital content. To check whether your digital content is accessible, we recommend using a combination of automated tools and manual techniques. Here is a breakdown of both types of tools, along with links and tips for using them effectively.
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Automated Tools
Automated tools quickly scan digital content for common accessibility issues: missing alt text, poor heading structure, and color contrast problems. While they can’t catch everything, they’re a fast way to flag issues that need fixing.
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Manual Testing
Manual testing helps catch issues that automated tools miss. Use techniques like keyboard-only navigation, zooming in to 200%, and basic screen reader testing to ensure usable content for all — a necessary step for a more human-centered review.