Web Accessibility
Guidelines
University web masters and content providers are responsible for helping Lander University maintain an accessible web site. The rules provided below are the most common issues Lander web masters face within the content management system (OpenCms).
- Text equivalent for non-text elements
- Row and column header identification
- Color
Text Equivalent for Non-text Elements:
This rule most often applies to images. Images must have an alternative text description ("alt tag"). How to in OpenCms:
- Right-click on the image within the page editor
- Select Image Properties
- Enter descriptive text in the Alternative Text field (provide a simple text description of what the image portrays - but not too long)
- Press the OK button
Tables - Row and Column Header Information:
You should avoid the use of tables for layout purposes. If your content requires a fixed formatting, please consider providing the information in either a Word document or an Adobe PDF file.
Tables must be coded properly as sometimes data can be difficult to interpret if a person is using a non-visual means of accessing the web.
For more descriptive information on proper table formatting, please visit the following link:
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm#(g)
Color:
Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color. This rule requires that color alone is not used to identify information. For example, you cannot use an instruction such as the following: "Click on the Blue text".
You must use something other than color to identify an item such as an asterisk (*) or an underline. For example, "Click on the underlined item".
For a full listing of Section 508 Web Accessibility Standards, please visit: http://www.lander.edu/web/accessibility/section_508_standards.html
