Resources for SMTD Faculty and Staff on Digital Accessibility
What is digital accessibility? Digital accessibility means that digital information and experiences can be used, understood, and participated in by all, without barriers for any individuals or communities. It is achieved by using standards and best practices that make all aspects of digital life at U-M accessible to people with disabilities.
Digital accessibility is required by U-M policy and federal laws.
Understand your responsibilities, whether you are a staff, faculty, or student member of the university in any unit. Everyone at U-M has a role in digital accessibility, and everyone at U-M has a right to equitable digital access.
Accessibility Checkers
Canvas
- The Canvas Accessibility Service provides tools for instructors, instructional support staff, and students to ensure course content in Canvas meets digital accessibility standards and offers equitable access to learners with disabilities.
- This service uses Panorama, an industry-leading accessibility add-on by YuJa. Panorama offers tools to check, improve, and create accessible content directly within Canvas.
- ITS is offering training sessions for Panorama. Registration and additional training materials can be found on the Digital Accessibility for Canvas page.
Google Workspace
- Grackle’s integration into Docs, Sheets, and Slides provides intuitive tools for spotting and resolving accessibility issues as you edit. Ensuring digital accessibility is not just a best practice; it’s a vital component of the University of Michigan’s commitment to equity and inclusivity. Grackle empowers you to create barrier-free content that everyone can access and enjoy, aligning with U-M policy and our compliance standards of WCAG 2.1 AA.
Microsoft Office tools
- Use the accessibility checker (Microsoft)
- Understand checker rules and results (Microsoft)
PDF tools
- Use tools in Adobe Acrobat (Adobe)
- Use tools in Adobe InDesign (Adobe)
Additional information on making documents accessible can be found on the documents best practices page of U-M ITS accessibility.
Learning Resources
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Concepts and principles that inform accessibility standards
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Foundational training offerings
Adaptive Technology
Learn more about the adaptive software and hardware tools available to you as a U-M student, faculty, or staff member.
- Discover adaptive hardware and software at U-M
- Review accessibility tools in the software directory
Individual Consultations
You can schedule a consultation for assistive technology to understand your needs, consider options, and start using tools.
How to get help with Digital Accessibility:
Contact SMTD I.T. by emailing [email protected]. The team will be able to assist you with questions regarding digital accessibility and if needed, can escalate to Central ITS for additional assistance.
For additional information – please visit the Digital Accessibility page at U-M.