Digital Accessibility is an ADA Requirement
About 25% of U.S. adults, and over a billion people worldwide, live with a disability. The way many people access the web can be impacted by disability. Many will use assistive technology, for example, or make modifications that make web content usable to them.
In order for assistive technology, like screen readers, to work with a website, that website has to be made compatible through the implementation of accessibility best practices and specifications.
The following are the most basic things you can easily do to ensure your page content is accessible.
To explore UCR’s broader initiatives in digital inclusion, please visit the UCR Accessibility Website
Accessibility Training & Resources
- Creating online content for UC? New federal digital accessibility regulations apply to you - February 10, 2026
- Important federal and systemwide requirements affecting digital content - January 29, 2026
- UCOP Electronic Accessibility Training Resources
- UCR Accessibility Resources
- UCR ITS - Website Accessibility
- Siteimprove - Free cloud service that enables you to systematically review your sites for accessibility, SEO, and best practices.
- UC Webinar: From Compliance to Inclusion - Recorded May 15, 2025
- New regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act that will impact UC - February 25, 2025
- UCOP’s Quick Tips for Creating Accessible Websites (pdf)
- Inclusive Communication: Tips and Guidance for Promoting Electronic Accessibility
- LinkedIn Learning Accessibility for Web Design
Accessible Course Design for Faculty (Non-Drupal Sites)
- Accessibility and Inclusive Course Design
- Accessibility Guidance for Faculty
- UCR's Exploration Center for Innovative Teaching and Engagement (XCITE) provides a robust suite of resources and services relating to accessibility and inclusive course design.
UCR Accessibility Announcements
March 12, 2026
The UCR Digital Deep Clean: Week Five: The Home Office
We’ve hit the halfway mark of our challenge! This week, we’re stepping into the "Home Office" to focus on two foundational elements of digital accessibility: file type and structure. Organizing a physical office is typically about choosing the right container and labeling your files. In our digital home office, your file types act as the containers, and some are much easier to access than others. Think of a paper tray organizer versus a locked filing cabinet. Once you’ve picked the right container, Heading tags (H1-H4) act as the labeled dividers inside. Proper headings create a digital map
March 06, 2026
The UCR Digital Deep Clean: Week Four: The Entryway
Navigation is how Highlanders enter and move through our digital spaces. This week, we’re creating a welcoming “Entryway” by replacing “click here” links with descriptive text and ensuring our digital forms have clear labels for everyone. Week Four Guidance Links: Describe the Destination When a screen reader encounters a link that just says "click here" or "read more," it provides zero context for the user. By using descriptive text, you aren't just meeting a compliance standard—you're providing a clear signpost. Descriptive links help busy students, faculty, and staff skim your emails and
February 26, 2026
The UCR Digital Deep Clean: Week Three: The Attic
In week one, we geared up in the "Toolshed." In week two, we tackled the “Guest Room” by auditing third-party tools. Now, it's time to head up to the "Attic." Just like a home attic, our digital spaces—websites, Google Drives, SharePoints, Canvas courses, etc.—often collect content we no longer use. Not every piece of digital content needs a deep clean; some items just need to be thrown out. By identifying what to archive, remediate, or remove, we make our digital campus easier to navigate and ensure steady progress ahead of the April 24, 2026, deadline. Wait—Does This Apply to Me? Almost
February 24, 2026
The UCR Digital Deep Clean: Week Two: The Guest Room
It's week two of the digital deep-cleaning challenge. When it comes to tidying up your home, nothing is a better motivator than knowing you have guests coming over! This week, we’re heading into the "Guest Room" to audit our third-party tools. At UCR, we often use external plugins, applications, or software to enhance our work and teaching. However, under the updated ADA standards, we are responsible for ensuring these "guests" meet UCR’s Accessibility Standards. Week Two Guidance Why Should I Review My Third-Party Tools? When we invite an external tool into our digital environment, we are
Early Wins: Start with these top issues
