Accessibility Overview

Texas Tech University offers a wide variety of programs and services for campus, local, state, national, and international audiences. Members of these audiences likely have unique needs for consuming the content produced by Texas Tech University. As such, we must produce materials that all people can perceive and understand. We can help users perceive our content by implementing captions and transcripts for videos, writing descriptive text for images, and utilizing high color contrasts within our produced materials. We can assist users in understanding our content by utilizing page headings, producing well structured tables, and using simple language that more users could understand. These items make our materials better for all users, not just those with disabilities. While this guide primarily will be focused on websites, the ideas and strategies described here can be utilized for a variety of electronic and physical communication methods.

Everyone Benefits from Accessibility

Image above provided by Sketchplanations.

Lowering the curb at a crosswalk fulfills a critical need for those with mobility issues. But doing so also makes that crosswalk significantly easier for others to enjoy.

• Captions and transcripts on video can help those that want to watch your video but don't want to disturb those around them.
• Making your site easy to navigate can help those with an arm injury or who otherwise only have one free arm.
• Someone that loses their glasses or contracts, or who just isn't wearing those, will appreciate high color contrasts on you site.
• Simplifying the text used on your site will make it easier for everyone to understand your content.
• Simple language, captions, transcripts, image descriptive text, and other things you do for your site will help search engines better understand the purpose of your site.

Why Accessibility Matters

Inclusion and Growth

All members of the Texas Tech University community should be able to benefit from our programs and services. Producing accessible materials allows more people to learn about and engage with our programs. If we can address the accessibility barriers within our communications and structures, we can shape our programs to serve those that were previously excluded.

Legality

University policy (OP 52.05) as well as State (TAC §206), and Federal (Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act) laws require TTU websites to maintain a certain level of accessibility. Specifically, our websites must meet the A and AA levels of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. While only the A and AA levels are required, we should work to address AAA accessibility where it is feasible.

Our Roles

We all have a responsibility to ensure our websites are accessible. Our central IT and Marketing teams help ensure the general style and structure of our websites are accessible. Each department has full control over the body of their webpages and must consider accessibility in creating and maintaining their websites. Silktide is scans all TTU websites for issues and can help all of us address any shortcomings in our work.

Central Website Management

While you have a lot of control in building your website, many elements are configured and maintained by IT Team Web and the Office of Communications and Marketing. All TTU websites reference a centrally managed style sheet, which generally describes how text and links should look and behave. In addition, the header, site menu, and footer for all TTU websites is defined by our site template. We may also provide code snippets for you to use within your website. We are constantly working to improve the accessibility of these elements so that you can have a head start in serving your audience.

Your Website

You largely have full control of the content of your site between the site menu and the footer. As such, you need to ensure the text, images, videos, and interactive elements within your website meet with accessibility guidelines.

Silktide

To assist all of us, Silktide is scanning all TTU websites for accessibility and content issues. Silktide can help you see accessibility issues on your site, with guidance on how those can be corrected. You can log in to Silktide with your eRaider credentials. You can request access to Silktide by submitting a Web Quality and Accessibility Scanning request. All requests will need to be approved by the appropriate Web Site Content Owner. If you are hoping to correct issues discovered by Silktide, you will need access to Omni CMS.