Digital Accessibility at the SSC
Digital Accessibility at the SSC
Embedded Files
Interested in videos? Check out our MiVideo page! Training, tips and tricks, and more!
Accessibility for digital assets is required by U-M policy in addition to federal laws. There is a large initiative at U-M to update and maintain the compliance with these laws and regulations. This supports the compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and also the WCAG 2.1 AA.
The compliance deadline is April of 2026 for federal compliance for large public universities.
What is digital accessibility?
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility is, essentially, the assurance that digital content (webpages, courses, software, et al) is usable by everyone - including those with disabilities.
Some of the key tenants are:
Universal Design: Designing for a broad range of needs and devices
Equitable Access: Providing access to all people regardless of disability status
Usability: Ensuring ease of use for all people
Compatibility: Making sure things work with different technologies including assistive technologies
Compliance: Meeting the WCAG 2.1 AA standards for digital accessibility
Inviting Feedback: Making it easy and welcoming for people to report barriers and get help
Accommodations: Offering responsive, necessary accommodations when barriers are encountered
Tips
PDF's are notoriously hard to make accessible. PDF's should not be used for fillable forms or interactive content.
Use structure in your documents - headings, ordered lists, unordered lists, etc
Add alternative text to images, or mark them as "decorative" elements
Use Table headers in tables
Minimum 12-point sans serif font
Check colors and contrast - remember that there are a lot of folks who are color blind, and may not be able to see some shades.
Make sure links are descriptive (don't use "this link")
What does this initiative include?
What does this initiative include?
Well, it really includes everything. Below are some examples listed from the U-M Digital Accessibility Website
In relation to U-M units, like the SSC - we are talking about content that our employees and customers use in their daily interactions with us. This could be customer to a team - or team member to team member.
Canvas Course Content
Website Scanning (to ensure compliance)
PDF Accessibility and other documents (including forms)
Video and closed captioning accessibility
Prior Objectives of the Accessibility Group
Prior Objectives of the Accessibility Group
This group has been working on updates, tools, and new technologies to assist with the creation of accessible content for students, faculty, and staff - for some time. Below are some of their prior objectives, including completed and still ongoing tasks.
Develop strategy and communicate the updates that align with federal laws and mandates - and also support U-M in their interpretation of these laws
Refine the Procurement process for acquiring accessible technology and tools
Investigate, implement, and provide a suite of tools to the U-M community to support the development of courses, websites, video, closed captioning, professional services, and applications that meet these compliance needs
Grackle for Docs, Sheets, Slides has been released (Workspace Add-On)
The Canvas Accessibility tool rolled out
Consistent Communications! Partner with U-M units to communicate guidance and promote knowledge of these initiatives
Training - Develop materials needed and assess the gaps in knowledge and/or training that need to be filled in
What does this mean for my team?
What does this mean for my team?
Customer Facing Materials:
Need to be reviewed for compliance with the updated digital accessibility standards. This would include any literature, documents, PDFs, websites, videos, forms, slideshows, et al - that are shared with customers.
Internal Team Materials:
A check should also be done on these materials. We need to make sure that we're supporting our team members that have any accessibility issues with internal documentation. This would include any literature, documents, PDFs, websites, videos, forms, slideshows, et al - shared with the team.
How do we check these materials?
How do we check these materials?
The Digital Accessibility group has a basic page on how to understand accessibility, some available tools, as well as best practices for different types of documents
The Digital Accessibility team also offers upcoming events on a limited basis
Please reach out to the SSC Team first, before requesting assistance from the ITS Digital Accessibility team.
Is ITS responsible for managing the SSC's compliance?
Is ITS responsible for managing the SSC's compliance?
No, it is not.
The ITS Digital Accessibility team is the backbone - that provides frameworks, tools, and support. But it is the Shared Services Center's responsibility to manage our own unit's compliance.
I have questions - who do I contact?
I have questions - who do I contact?
Email us: ssc-digital.accessibility@umich.edu
Please talk to your supervisor first!
Additional Questions?
Additional Questions?
Email SSC Digital Accessibility Working Group
Reach out on our Slack Channel
Submit a ticket for assistance
Page updated
Report abuse