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How do I report a digital accessibility barrier?
Website barriers may be reported directly to the website operator per UI IT policy.
All University web resources must contain an accessible link a visitor with an accessibility concern can use to contact someone responsible for the resource. The individual responsible for the resource may contact the Information Security and Policy Office (ISPO) for guidance in resolving the accessibility concern.
How do I report a physical accessibility barrier?
The University of Iowa ADA Coordinator, Tiffini Stevenson Earl, and her team at the Office of Civil Rights Compliance handle all reports of barriers. Please submit a report of any barrier you encounter by clicking here and filling out the appropriate report.
The Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) can also provide resources and non-compliant options for reports involving bias, harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. Click here for information about confidential and non-confidential resources.
How do I make sure a Word document is accessible?
All the details are listed by visiting the Accessible Documents: Microsoft Word page.
To start, as you are working on a Word document, go to the Review tab and click on Check Accessibility. As you develop the document, the panel on the right will evaluate your work and suggest changes to make to ensure accessibility.
It is key to make this practice a part of each document you create and make sure all our content is accessible to all Hawkeyes.
How do I make sure a PDF is accessible?
All the details are listed by visiting the Accessible Documents: Adobe Acrobat page.
To start, as you are working on a PDF, go to the Prepare for Accessibility under the All Tools tab. Walk through each area of the accessibility tools to make sure your PDF is compliant.
It is key to make this practice a part of each document you create and make sure all our content is accessible to all Hawkeyes.
How do I make sure a PowerPoint presentation accessible?
All the details are listed by visiting the Accessible Documents: Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.
To start, as you are working on a PowerPoint presentation, go to the Review tab and click on Check Accessibility. As you develop the presentation, the panel on the right will evaluate your work and suggest changes to make to ensure accessibility.
It is key to make this practice a part of each document you create and make sure all our content is accessible to all Hawkeyes.
What are the new ADA rules on digital accessibility and WCAG?
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This rule outlines new requirements for the university’s web content, including academic course content. The rule will apply to the university starting April 24, 2026, and specifies WCAG 2.1 AA as the technical standard for accessibility.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of technical standards designed to make digital content more accessible to people with disabilities. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, WCAG includes 13 guidelines organized under four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Each guideline has testable success criteria at three levels: A, AA, and AAA. For a brief overview of the WCAG 2 guidelines, see WCAG 2 at a Glance.
What is POUR and how can I apply it to my work?
POUR is the WCAG acronym to build accessible digital content.
Perceivable
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
- Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
- Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.
- Make it easier for users to see and hear content.
Operable
- Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Give users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not use content that causes seizures or physical reactions.
- Help users navigate and find content.
- Make it easier to use inputs other than keyboard.
Understandable
- Make text readable and understandable.
- Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust
- Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools.