User experience is a critically important consideration across all digital media channels and our audiences are accessing our content with their own unique needs and preferences. Some audiences may be on a computer, tablet or phone and using built-in features such as dark mode and screen magnifiers. Others might be using a screen reader or assistive technology to navigate content rather than using a mouse or a touch screen.
Accessibility is a human right, and Ontario was the first in Canada to introduce legislation aimed at making communications and learning as important as physical spaces. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Information and Communications Standard, we have a legal obligation to make our digital content accessible. This legislation uses an international set of online accessibility standards called the Web Consortium Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Other provinces are working on similar legislation. The guiding principle is universal design – that is, making digital communications better for everyone.
These efforts not only make our websites more accessible, but they also make them more user-friendly and rank higher in search engine results. In short, they help build better digital content for everyone.
Resources
- Digital Accessibility at Waterloo – The University of Waterloo provides guidelines principles and standards aimed at making web content accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview – the international set of accessibility guidelines that most accessibility legislation is based on.
- Accessible Campus – Council of Ontario University's Accessibility Resources Website
- Accessible and Equitable AI Systems - a technical for developing accessible artificial intelligence systems in Canada.
Training
- ITPD Courses
- Introduction to Web Accessibility
- Writing for Web
- Creating Accessible Tables
- Creating Accessible Web forms
- W3C Digital Accessibility Foundations – this online course from the organization leading WCAG is free to audit, or there is a paid certificate option available.
Contact us
If you have any further questions about the web and social media style, please contact University Communications by email at urcomms@uwaterloo.ca.