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Leah Bittner

“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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Website Content Accessibility Resources

An accessible website improves the overall user experience and satisfaction, regardless of the device a visitor uses or who they are. It enhances the University's brand and broadens the site's reach. Ultimately, an accessible website makes it easier for everyone to use the site and find what they need.

Introduction to Web Accessibility and W3C Standards

Source: W3C WAI video: “Standards and Benefits” (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative). Accessed .

Purpose and Scope

This guide supports faculty and staff who create or publish electronic materials on behalf of SMSU. It applies to:

  • Course content in D2L Brightspace (pages, files, links, media, assessments, and embedded content).

  • Public-facing SMSU web content (department pages, program pages, announcements, and downloads).

  • Common shared materials, including documents, presentations, PDFs, images, audio, and video.

The goal is to reduce barriers by using accessible authoring practices and selecting accessible tools and content formats. Detailed format-by-format checks belong in the SMSU accessibility checklist referenced below.

Audience

This resource guide is intended for SMSU employees and student staff who publish or distribute electronic materials for:

  • Instruction (credit-bearing and non-credit courses, online and in-person).

  • Public information (web pages, PDFs, event notices, marketing materials, and outreach).

  • Administrative and service information students and the public need.

Core Standards and Expectations

ADA Title II

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule under ADA Title II that sets technical requirements for web content and mobile apps that public entities provide or make available.

  • The rule references WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard baseline.

  • Compliance date: April 26, 2027

For definitions, exceptions, and timelines, consult the official rule sources listed in External Authoritative Resources.

Things to Remember

  • Web content is always more accessible on a webpage than in an external file, such as a PDF or Microsoft Document.

  • Webpages are more discoverable and searchable.

  • Publicly available files must legally comply with ADA Title II guidelines and WCAG 2.1+ standards.

Key Questions for Web Content

  • Is the information meant to be read online?
    • In either case, adding the content as a webpage is preferred. Webpages don't require special software beyond a browser to display content responsively to screen size. Webpages can also be printed on paper or saved as other file formats for offline viewing.

  • Will the information be updated frequently?
    • In either case, creating the content as a webpage lets you access it faster and update it as needed through our Content Management System. This is preferable to updating a source document, making accessibility fixes, exporting it, re-uploading it, and updating all links to it across your webpages.

  • Can the information be printed just as easily from a webpage?
    • Our website template includes a print stylesheet that lets users print webpage content. Unless the content is a poster or flyer, add it to the website as a webpage. Note: Even posters or flyers need to comply with accessibility standards.

  • Have I run an accessibility check on the file I'm about to upload?
    • If not, please do so and make sure it passes all accessibility checks before uploading the document. You can also use the resources listed below to check your document for accessibility issues.

    • Please contact the Web Office or a member of the COLT staff if you need help making your documents accessible.

Third-Party and Publisher Content

ADA Title II expectations apply to web content a public entity provides or makes available, including content that is linked, embedded, or delivered through third-party and publisher platforms. If you have concerns about the accessibility of third-party or publisher content used for instruction or public information, contact Accessibility Services to report the issue and get guidance on next steps.

Next step for concerns: Contact Accessibility Services using the information in SMSU Support and Contacts. Include the course or page, a link to the content, and a brief description of the barrier.

Accessibility Resources

General

ADA Title II Web and Mobile Content Rule

WCAG Standard

Documents, Media, and Plain Language

Word Documents

PowerPoints

PDFs

Tables

Charts and Graphs

Maps

Helpful Accessibility Tools

  • WAVE Browser Extension
    The WAVE Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions let you evaluate web content for accessibility issues directly in your browser.

  • WebAIM Contrast Checker
    The Contrast Checker tool lets you check the contrast ratio between a foreground and background color to see if it meets WCAG guidelines. WCAG 2.0 level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for standard text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 for graphics and user interface components (such as form input borders).

Support and Contacts

Use the contacts below to request help, report barriers, or coordinate accessibility support for course or public materials.

Center for Learning and Teaching (COLT)

Brightspace support, course design consultation, and teaching and learning resources.


Web Office

Public-facing web publishing support and web accessibility resources.


Communications and Marketing

Support for public communications, marketing materials, and related digital content requests.


Information Technology Services (ITS)

Technology support and the Technology Resource Center (TRC).


Accessibility Services

Support for access, barrier reporting, and accessibility guidance for students and the SMSU community.

Last Modified: 10/14/26 1:33 PM | Website Feedback