UGA is committed to providing accessible programs and services for its students, faculty, staff, and the public. Digital accessibility supports the university’s mission and is a shared institutional responsibility.
Why this matters
Digital accessibility ensures that all UGA students, faculty, staff, and visitors can access university digital content and services. Under ADA Title II, UGA has a legal obligation to make digital content accessible. Beyond the legal requirement, accessible digital resources benefit everyone by creating an inclusive educational environment where all members of the community can participate fully in university life, regardless of ability.
What Is Digital Accessibility?
Members of the UGA community engage with technology daily through websites, eLC courses, documents, recorded lectures, HR platforms, and procurement systems. Digital accessibility ensures that all people can effectively use this technology, regardless of their ability, device, or environment.
Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
These users rely on screen readers, Braille displays, magnification tools, and high contrast settings to access digital content.
Content needs:
- Proper heading structure
- Alternative text for images
- Sufficient color contrast
- Text that can be resized without loss of functionality
- Full keyboard navigation
Individuals With Learning or Cognitive Disabilities
These users benefit from text-to-speech tools, reading support, and clearly structured content.
Content needs:
- Plain, clear language
- Logical heading hierarchy
- Manageable sections and chunks
Individuals With Physical or Motor Disabilities
These users navigate using keyboard controls and speech recognition software.
Content needs:
- Full keyboard operability
- Clearly labeled form fields
- Adjustable time constraints for interactions
Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
These users rely on captions and transcripts for video and audio content. Note: captions and transcripts also benefit users in shared spaces and those for whom English is a second language.
Content needs:
- Captions for all video content
- Transcripts for audio and video
Mobile Users and Environmental Considerations
Mobile users and those in challenging environments benefit from responsive design, scalable text, and lightweight content that works on any device.
Content needs:
- Responsive, mobile-friendly design
- Scalable text and UI elements
- Lightweight, accessible content
What Does an Accessible UGA Experience Look Like?
An accessible UGA digital experience meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and:
- Works reliably with assistive technologies
- Supports full keyboard navigation
- Includes captions and transcripts for multimedia
- Has a clear, logical structure
- Never relies on color alone to convey information
How Do I Make My Technology Accessible?
DASH provides guidance and resources for making your work accessible. Start with these key areas:
Where Do I Get Help?
Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility. If you need support:
- Consult your unit’s Digital Accessibility Liaison for guidance specific to your role
- Get training through available resources
- Attend DASH Events and office hours
- Submit a support request through EITS
Getting help
If you have questions or need assistance, the Digital Accessibility Services Hub (DASH) is available to support colleges, schools, and administrative units as they build sustainable accessibility practices.
- Contact DASH at [email protected] for consultations, training, or technical assistance.
Accessibility is a shared responsibility, and every step you take makes UGA’s digital environment more inclusive.