Getting started with digital accessibility might seem overwhelming, but we recommend starting with seven foundational accessibility skills. Once you get the hang of these skills, they will become second nature, and you won’t give them a second thought!
Headings
Provide outline structure by using built-in headings.
Lists
Organize content using numbered or bulleted lists using the built-in list buttons.
Links
Use link text that describes the link’s destination or function.
Tables
Use the built-in table tool to organize data in rows and columns. Assign descriptive column and/or row headers that describe the data in the cells.
Color and Contrast
Don’t use color as the only way to communicate information. Ensure text has sufficient contrast against its background color.
Images and Alt Text
Describe the content and purpose of every meaningful image using alternative text (or alt text), imagining what text you’d have used if not using the image.
Video and Audio
Ensure all videos include captions and an accompanying audio description track or text transcript. Provide transcripts for audio-only recordings.
Accessibility Checkers
An accessibility checker is a tool that is built into an application that can automatically identify accessibility issues in emails, documents, presentations, web pages, and CarmenCanvas. When creating digital content, it is best practice to always run accessibility checkers to improve accessibility. Accessibility checkers do not catch all accessibility issues, but they are a great starting point!
- CarmenCanvas Accessibility Checker
- Microsoft Office Accessibility Checkers
- Wave Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools – You can download browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge to scan and identify accessibility issues on web pages.
Accessibility and Universal Design
Being intentional with accessible design improves communication, empowers individuals, and promotes Ohio State’s values of inclusion and equity. Everyone who produces digital content at Ohio State has the responsibility to create accessible content. Digital content includes emails, documents, websites, CarmenCanvas courses, presentations, videos, and podcasts.
We use universal design principles to create content that is usable to all people, to the greatest extent possible, from the start. Because disabilities do not have to be reported, it’s impossible to know the true number of people with one or more disabilities at Ohio State. That is why it is important to invest in universal design, to ensure we are not only in compliance with federal accessibility regulations, but more importantly, that we are doing the right thing for everyone!
To put this into perspective,
- The CDC reports that more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States reported having a disability, which is over 70 million people. (Source: NCBDDD, 2024)
- The National Center for Education Statistics released data in 2022 from a longitudinal study stating that only one-third of students who reported having a disability informed their college. (Source: NCES Data Point, 2022)
- The National Center for Education Statistics reports 21% of undergrads and 11% of postbaccalaureate students report having a disability. (Source: NCES Study, 2023)
- At Ohio State, the Student Life and Disability Services office has registered more than 7,000 students with disabilities. This is an increase of 472.5% of registered students since 2011. (Source: SLDS, 2025)