Basic Principles of Web Accessibility
With reference to MSU's Accessibility guidelines, web pages must do the following to provide equal access to information, materials, programs, and services for all users regardless of ability:
- Establish eligibility criteria for technology and Web-based services or participation in programs and activities that will not screen out or tend to screen out qualified individuals with disabilities, unless such limitations are necessary to meet the essential objectives of the program.
- Supply the same or equally effective benefits, services, and programs for all users of the Web-based environment.
- Use electronic and information technologies that allow all Web users to have comparable access to and use of information and data.
- Provide all members of the public seeking information or services the same access to and use of information and data.
- Provide alternative programs and services of the World Wide Web for qualified individuals with disabilities only where the alternatives are necessary to make the programs and services equally as effective as those provided to other users.
For more information, please visit MSU's Web Accessibility site.
Images & Web Accessibility
| If an image is... | ALT text should... |
| Chart or illustration | Summarize and explain |
| Photograph or art work | Describe an image's content |
| Graphic or button with text | Be the same as the image's text |
| Functional icon with text | Describe the action to be taken |
| Background or other decoration | Contain an empty space (" ") |
General Information on Web Accessibility
The following mark characteristics of a site in aims of being accessible to a wide range of users:
- Content is understandable without the use of color
- Page content is read in the correct order without style sheets
- There are no flickering images in the site
- An alternative text-only page is provided if the web page cannot be made accessible
- A "Skip to Main Content" link is provided at the top of each web page
- Users are notified of and can delay an impending timeout
- Changes in content language are indicated by HTML code
- Alternative (static) content is updated when dynamic content changes
- Clear and simple language is used throughout the site
- Rows and column headers are identified in data tables
- Frames have meaningful titles
- Forms work properly and can be completed successfully using assistive technology
- Java, JavaScript and other active features work with assistive technology
- Links are provided to download plug-ins or applets if they are required to use the site
- Client-side image maps have alt attributes