Web Accessibility Considerations for Faculty and Staff

July 25, 2024 / General NOVA News

Did you know there are compliance standards that exist to help organizations with website accessibility? These standards are referred to as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG 2.2 is organized around four main principles, which mandate that content must meet POUR standards—perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.

Many of these standards are ones that must be followed by NOVA’s web services team. There are some steps that supervisors and other faculty/staff can take to assist with the development, review and updating of NOVA’s webpages. Below, are some WCAG 2.2 highlights to consider: 

  • Text alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
  • Time-based Media i.e., film, video, audio, and other digital technologies: Provide alternatives for time-based media to include captioning, sign language interpretation, or audio descriptions.
  • Readable: Make text content readable and understandable. Limit the use of unusual words, jargon, idioms, and abbreviations. Consider the reading level of your audience. Use plain language that students will understand.

Other actions that those responsible for webpage content can take include:

  • Identify content that is legally required or recommended by governing bodies to be included on the website and add said content to all appropriate webpages.
  • Limit the content of webpages to a maximum of 600 words (4 paragraphs in total).
  • Complete a document accessibility check before uploading any documents to the website.
  • Ensure individuals have access to applications, large sections of text, charts, tables, brochures, catalogs, etc. via print or download.
  • Check links within documents and on the webpage for functionality.
  • Ensure that links to external webpages lead to accessible content.
  • Review webpages at least once a year for content relevance and accessibility.

See DOJ’s final rule here: Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department to Publish Final Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities | United States Department of Justice.

Other resources include:

It is important that we all help the College to demonstrate compliance with web accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. Thank you for your help!

Submitted by:
Krystal Edmead, Director of Accommodations & Accessibility, KEdmead@nvcc.edu