Web accessibility means designing and building websites that work for everyone, including people with disabilities and those who use assistive technologies.
Accessible web content ensures users can navigate, understand, and engage with information clearly and effectively.
When in doubt, design with inclusion in mind. Prioritizing accessibility helps us support our entire community while also meeting legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
At the University of Oklahoma, we are committed to building inclusive spaces that reflect our shared values of opportunity, excellence, and belonging. Accessibility is essential to this mission. It ensures our websites are usable by everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
When we prioritize accessibility, we open our digital doors to a wider audience and support a more connected and equitable learning environment. It is not only a best practice, it is a vital step in making sure our community thrives together.
As a public university, OU is committed to inclusion and equity for all. Web accessibility:
Supports our diverse campus community by removing digital barriers
Ensures compliance with federal accessibility laws (like the ADA and Section 508)
Reflects OU’s values of access, opportunity, and respect for all individuals
Improves usability for everyone, including people on mobile devices or with temporary impairments, like a broken arm or poor internet.
Creating accessible digital content means designing websites that work well with assistive technologies such as screen readers, captions, and keyboard navigation. This includes using clear headings, meaningful alternative text for images, and well-structured documents.
If you need assistance with evaluating the accessibility of your website, please contact the webteam at source@ou.edu
Free online course designed for technical and non-technical learners, including:
Introduces some of the web accessibility requirements for websites, web applications, browsers, and other tools and provides references to the international standards from W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies, standards, and supporting resources to help you make the Web more accessible to people with disabilities. Use these resources to make your websites more accessible and usable to everyone
Visit the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center to find practical tips, tools, and training to help you create accessible digital content.
