Center for Digital Accessibility

The Center for Digital Accessibility is here to help you make your content available to everyone.

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility means digital materials are usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. It ensures that websites, apps, videos, documents, etc. are easy to use and understand. The goal is to give everyone equal access to information and functionality.

The University uses the international standards of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.

Why is digital accessibility important?

• The University of Chicago is committed to providing an accessible, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Maintaining accessible digital assets enables users of all backgrounds and abilities to have a better user experience.
• Accessible content and applications reach the broadest audience.
• Our digital representation online should reflect our academic excellence.
• Creating websites and content that are accessible strengthens the University’s compliance regarding accessibility laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and reduces our risk.
• 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is enhanced when digital accessibility guidelines have been followed.

Our services

The Center provides digital accessibility consulting, assessment and training for students, faculty, other academic appointees, staff and postdoctoral researchers at UChicago. It provides the following services upon request. Contact Us for more information.