Extend the Core Skills

Summary

Once you have learned the core skills, keep learning and practicing even more skills!

The University of Minnesota is committed to the idea that accessibility is everyone's everyday work. 

All you have to do is start small. For example:

Then use the Filter and Sort Options below and review what you learned, or learn even more skills!

Accessibility Skills Pages and Events

Displaying 81 - 90 of 98

Style Guide

The Accessible U Committee agreed to follow a few style guidelines when creating content for the site.

We know there are good arguments for different choices. We welcome feedback, and ask that you cultivate inclusion as we continue to cultivate it within our own website. We also welcome feedback at [email protected].

Table Tags and Styles

Use tables to display data and CSS for page layout. Make sure tables are accessible to screen reader users by designating row and/or column headers, ensuring users can change font and column sizes, not including form elements in the first column, and programmatically associating cells with their headings.

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Tables

Accessible tables are simple, rather than complex, have an identified header row, and include a table summary, either as a caption or as alt text. These techniques help screen reader users read the information contained in the table.

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Take Accessibility Training

Learn how to create digitally accessible content by participating in University accessibility training opportunities.

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Test for Accessibility

The accessibility of digital content can be evaluated by performing both software-assisted and manual checks to identify issues. Perform a check any time during your content's creation and whenever you add additional content or features. In addition, you can test your content with screen reader software.

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Text

Whenever you share text in digital formats, make sure that it is equally accessible to sighted users, users with low vision, and users who cannot see the text at all. 

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    Text and Visuals

    Follow our good practices to make both digital visuals and text as accessible as possible to the widest range of users.

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    The Seven Core Skills Event on

    Join the Accessibility Ambassadors for a presentation by Christina Goodland and Karen Shapiro of the Office of Information Technology.

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    Universal Design Event on

    This presentation will introduce how ableist behaviors and attitudes are the roots of an inaccessible society for people with various abilities.

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    Universal Design for Learning Event on

    This presentation will provide instructors and students with strategies to improve engagement and accessibility in college coursework.

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    Authors, Designers, and Editors

    When you think about accessibility laws and related University policies, you might think they apply only to course and website content.

    But at the University of Minnesota, we create thousands of digital content products each day. These can be in a variety of formats, and should all be as accessible to the widest range of audiences as possible

    Instructors

    The more you make your course accessible, the fewer accommodation requests you may receive.

    In addition, more students will be able to better learn from and navigate your course materials and classroom experiences, even if they have different learning styles and abilities.

    Leaders and Managers

    Leaders can communicate a clear and achievable vision for digital accessibility within the organization.

    Managers can drive action by communicating a vision, establishing clear goals and expectations, and providing resources and training.

    Check out Promote Digital Accessibility for ideas.

    Presenters

    You can make your presentations and events you host more inclusive.

    For example:

    • Verbally describe your slides while presenting.
    • Include alternative text for images.
    • Provide captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts.

    Students

    When you produce digital assignments, apply the core skills and your instructors and the students you collaborate with will be better able to understand them, even if they use assistive technologies.

    Technology Purchasers

    Before a big purchase, the wise shopper gathers requirements, performs research, and reviews potential solutions.

    At the University, your digital technology pre-purchase checklist must include an evaluation of the extent to which a product is accessible and how a vendor meets accessibility standards.

    Web Developers

    From a developer's perspective, the goal is to code a website or web application that, at minimum, meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) AA standards and follows the POUR guiding principles of accessible technology.