Web Accessibility Statement

The Division of Engineering Computing Services at MSU is implementing changes now to improve basic menu navigation and labeling in order to provide a simple and effortless navigation experience for visitors using screen-reading software for Web browsing. Long-term, we will continue to research and implement solutions that bring the MSU Web top-level pages to the usual exemplary level in the areas of accessible and universal design.

General Information

In the development of this website, we have worked towards adding a significant number of accessibility features. These features complement the use of assistive technologies and help make the site usable to the broadest possible audience, everyone from those who use assistive technologies to those with a low-end browser or computer.

For assistance with the content and function of this site, please use the 'Contact Information' link at the bottom of every page. We also provide a link back to the Accessibility page at the bottom of each page. Persons using assistive devices should contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities for assistive technology assistance.

Accessible Features in Drupal Content Management System (CMS)

If you rely on a screen reader or other assistive technology, you will be glad to know that we have built this site with Drupal, a content management system, to encourage and support the proper use of semantic markup. For example, you should be able to use headings reliably for page-level navigation.

The Drupal accessibility team has worked to identify accessibility barriers with Drupal and worked to resolve them. We've identified and resolved a number of issues in the core code of Drupal 7 and raised awareness within the community. We've added some additional support for Rich Internet Applications by adding some WAI-ARIA support. There have been many improvements to both the visitor and administrator sides of Drupal, especially:

  • Search engine form and presentation
  • Drag and Drop functionality
  • Color contrast and intensity
  • Adding skip navigation to core themes
  • Image handling
  • Form labeling
  • Removing duplicate or null tags

Users of the JAWS screen reader: Please be aware that JAWS is designed to work best with Internet Explorer. If you are using JAWS but have selected to use another browser, JAWS may not be able to take advantage of the accessibility features provided within this application.

Note: Once you navigate outside of this site these accessibility features might not necessarily be implemented

Guidelines

Access Keys

Most web browsers support linking to specific pages by typing named access keys:

  • Windows users
    • Mozilla Firefox & Netscape: Press ALT + an access key.
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer: Press ALT + an access key + ENTER
  • Macintosh users: Press CONTROL + an access key.

All pages contain a 'skip to content' link for users who use speech browsers or keyboard navigation who wish to avoid repeated groupings of links.

Changing Text Sizes

This site CSS uses relative font sizes, compatible with the user-specified 'text size' option in visual browsers. If you need to change the text size in your web browser, we have the following tutorials:

Links and Images

  • Necessary links were assigned 'TITLE' attributes to describe the target in greater detail. Users of assistive technology may wish to set screen reader options to take full advantage of this feature.
  • Images used in this site include a descriptive 'ALT' attribute. Those images which are purely decorative or used for layout include a null 'ALT' attribute.

Tables

  • Screen reader table functions within screen readers may be used on this site. The tables are properly coded to take advantage these functions. Example: Using JAWS in Internet Explorer, use Control - ALT - Right Arrow to properly read a table with table headers.
  • Tables used in this site include 'SUMMARY' attributes to describe the table in greater detail.