FAQs

Does this apply to me?
How do I start?
Why should I care about web accessibility?
How can I check if a web page is accessible?
How do I get help?
What happens if I can't comply?
Why is this necessary? Aren't disabled users a small minority?
Does EKU offer training?
What if I'm not a web developer?
Can you give me some tips for creating accessible html pages in Word?
Can you give me some tips for creating accessible pdfs?
What about Blackboard? Is it accessible?
If I have a complaint about accessibility, who should I contact?
How do I report web accessibility problems on the EKU site?
Does Eastern Kentucky University have a web accessibility policy?

Does this apply to me?

If you provide information to the general public, students or faculty via the Internet, you must make your web pages accessible. All official EKU web pages and all Blackboard course materials must be accessible.

How do I start?

Become aware of the problem.
Educate yourself.
Take baby steps.

Conduct a simple audit on your website or run one of the web page evaluation tool listed below.

Cynthia Says
WAVE
WebXact

For information about usability and accessibility, go to our Training section.

A few minor changes can help others understand your content. For instance, make sure all the images on your page include alt tags describing the image. Alt tags are most important if images are used for navigation buttons. If you don't include alt tags describing the purpose of the navigation buttons, non-sighted users can't navigate your site.

Another must is to make your links understandable. A "Click Here" link has no meaning if the links are read out of context.

A great tool for viewing your web pages is the browser plug-in AIS toolbar.

Why should I care about web accessibility?

The web should provide access to as many people as possible. It is only right that the University community adapt or remove barriers that keep some from gaining access to their education.

The Federal government has certain requirements for the fair treatment of persons with disabilities. The updated Eastern Kentucky University Policy endorses compliance with the Federal Rehabilitation Act's Section 508 standards - subsections 1194.22 and 1194.31. Any Eastern Kentucky University sites that are funded with Federal grants must abide by the rules of those grants, including website accessibility.

Other reasons for striving toward greater accessibility:

Millions of baby boomers are experiencing normal vision loss as they age
Improve user friendliness for all site visitors
By using proper heading tags, you optimize your site for search engines
Improve comprehension of non-native speakers and language translation sites
Ensure that your site can be viewed properly on PDAs, cell phones, and other devices
Avoid expensive lawsuits

How can I check if my web page is accessible?

You can inspect the accessibility of a web page without the purchase of additional software. Free validation tools are available to anyone that wishes to use them.

Cynthia Says
WAVE
WebXact

Some of the results are difficult to understand or the advice is difficult to implement. Email parker.owens@eku.edu if you need assistance.

How do I get help?

We are committed to help you make your web pages accessible. Whether you are a web master, an instructor with a course on the web, or a department administrator, we can help. We have instructional resources to teach you to make your own site changes, or you can hire someone to review and fix your site.

Join our Blackboard class to get regular updates on accessibility and events by emailing parker.owens@eku.edu.

What happens if I can't comply?

The web accessibility coordinator will modify your pages. In most cases, the changes will not be noticeable. In the event pages cannot be made WCAG Priority 1, Section 508 compliant, the pages may be temporarily removed until an all text version of the page can be made available.

Why is this necessary? Aren't disabled users a small minority?

In the US, roughly 12% of adults, and at least 30% of all people over 65 are disabled.

2004 US Census data on individuals with disabilities

Does EKU offer training?

We have short monthly classes, online resources, and offer links to tutorials and other free online training.

What if I'm not a web developer?

Most of the techniques can be accomplished using WYSIWYG software like Dreamweaver, Word or FrontPage. You only have to know the steps and remember to do it. The web accessibility office has short, simple pdf cheat sheets on a variety of accessibility topics.

Can you give me some tips for creating accessible html pages in MS Word?

Create structured documents using headings, lists, and paragraphs; provide alt-text for images; and save the file as (filtered) html. MS Word QuickTips

Can you give me some tips for creating accessible pdfs?

In a nutshell, the pdf must contain a searchable text file. You cannot have text images or a complete scan of the document in an image. The text should be constructed using a proper structure of headings, paragraphs, and lists in a linear order.

Any form fields must have descriptions a screen reader can read, and a linear tabbing order.

Alt-text must be supplied for all graphics, link, charts, graphs, and photos.

Navigational aids should be included for long documents (table of contents or index).

A document language must be specified (for instance, English or Spanish).

For complete instructions, download Adobe's guide on Creating Accessible Documents with Adobe Acrobat 7. (115 page pdf guide)

What about Blackboard? Is it accessible?

For the most part, Blackboard is accessible. Some feature like chat cannot be used in the spirit they were created. A log can be created and pasted into a reader for content, but that does not allow participation during the chat. Blackboard continues to work toward greater accessibility.

For more info, go to http://www.blackboard.com/company/accessibility.aspx.

If I have a complaint about accessibility, who should I contact?

If you have a complaint about a web page, contact parker.owens@eku.edu.
If you have a complaint about physical access, contact teresa.belluscio@eku.edu or call (859) 622-1500 TDD or Voice.

How do I report web accessibility problems on the EKU site?

The Eastern Kentucky University Web presence is comprised of hundreds of sites that are managed and maintained by the individual departments and organizations. The quickest way to have an issue addressed is to contact the owner of the site directly. If the problem remains unresolved, please send an e-mail to parker.owens@eku.edu.

Does Eastern Kentucky University have a web accessibility policy?

An official policy has been drafted and is awaiting approval.