Accessible Materials & Websites

Materials and Resources for Producing Accessible Documents, Websites and Other Digital Content

At the University of Maine System we prioritize accessibility in the creation of all digital materials, websites, digital content and virtual events.

Producing accessible electronic materials is rarely more difficult or time-consuming than producing inaccessible materials once you know a few basics. In general, accessible electronic materials work with assistive technologies, such as screen-readers, with similar ease of use and transmit all of the same information to users with disabilities. Materials that must be made accessible may include:

• Charts, graphics, images, photos, etc., which must have sufficient text descriptions that allow an assistive-technology user to be able to read the content with a screen-reader
• Documents must be created using structural elements that allow for easy navigation
• Public access video and audio require captions or transcriptions
• Websites must comply with the technical and functional requirements of Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act

University of Maine System resources

The below are resources for learning how to create accessible materials within the University of Maine System:

• University of Maine System Document and Web Accessibility Checklist
• Digital Video and Audio Accessibility
• Planning Accessible Meetings and Conferences; A Suggested Checklist and Guide (External Site) – University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies