Accessible Course Content for all UC Berkeley Students
In higher education, the learning environment can affect academic success in crucial ways. In the twenty-first century, learning environment accessibility is an important concern. To provide a fair and open opportunity for our diverse students, it is important for content creators to understand the responsibilities for ensuring that the course content they provide (required readings, videos, etc.) to students does not pose barriers. An inclusive experience of equal access for all students, regardless of disability, creates a better experience while allowing students to excel academically. This website provides information, help and guidelines for making online course material accessible.
Why do I need to make my content accessible?
The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Electronic Technology Accessibility Policy was adopted in 2013. The policy summary states, "The University seeks to deploy information technology that has been designed, developed, or procured to be accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies." The policy establishes a set of goals using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0AA as the UC system-wide standard for web accessibility. The basic goal of these guidelines is to make sure that information posted online is Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust for persons with disabilities.
As content creators, when you choose course materials which require the least amount of additional effort to convert into accessible formats, you support our mandate to make all of UC Berkeley's courses welcoming to the broadest range of students possible. By doing this, you are reaffirming our commitment to creating an environment that is inclusive of all students, regardless of individual ability.