Accessibility

• Put Away Your Mouse

  Can you get to the different parts of the page using just the tab, arrows, space bar and return/enter keys?

  Here is a great article about how to navigate without using a mouse or trackpad.

   

• Use High Contrast

  Turn on high contrast mode. Is the screen a lot clearer when you do this?

  • Browser plugins: Chrome High Contrast

   

• Turn Off Images

  To be accessible, all images should have alt text with descriptive language about the image that is accessible via a screen reader. Without the images can you still figure out what to do?

  One way to do this:

  • Change the settings of Chrome. Other browsers have similar options

   

• Check for Captions or Transcripts

  What happens if you turn off sound for video or audio files? Are captions or transcripts available? Captions are a text version of the speech and non-speech audio information needed to understand the content. They are synchronized with the audio and usually shown in a media player when users turn them on. 

   

• Next Steps

  1. Ask the chosen vendor if they have a VPAT that they can provide to Bucknell.
  2. Get in touch with accessibility@bucknell.edu with answers to the following questions:
     • Who will be interacting with this software or electronic device (e.g. students, faculty, staff, campus visitors or the general public?)
     • Are they performing an essential task via this software or electronic device, i.e. a class assignment or task connected with pay/benefits or registration? Is there an alternative to using this software or electronic device?
     • Approximately how many people will be affected?
     • What problem is this software or device attempting to address?
     • Will the software need to be integrated with another system on campus?
     • To your knowledge, does the company have an accessibility policy?
     • Does the company have an individual to contact about accessibility questions? If so, what is their contact information?

   

• Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: If I can test only one thing, which one will tell me the most?

  A: If you have limited time the best way to evaluate accessibility is to work with the vendor to get their VPAT and other accessibility documentation.

  If you are testing a web page or web-based product an easy and impactful test is to test using only your keyboard.

  Q: What are examples of items do I need to be concerned with?

  A: Just about everything that is digitally based will fall under this umbrella. Our Guidelines for Vendors page has a fairly comprehensive list. Here is a short list of some of those items:

  • Websites
  • Software and mobile applications
  • Computer operating systems
  • Computers
  • Multimedia
  • Videos

  Q: Why do I have to test for accessibility? Isn't there someone else who should be doing this kind of test?

  A: Creating an inclusive environment is everyone's responsibility. You are in a position that allows you to choose software or electronic devices. Just as you perform an initial vetting for security you must also perform an initial vetting for accessibility. The Digital Accessibility Task Force is glad to assist with any testing of current or future tools.