Accessibility

Keeping your website accessible to people with disabilities.

Accessibility is more than just checking a box, it’s about making sure everyone can access and benefit from our digital spaces. Whether someone is using a screen reader, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technology, our websites should work for them.

And here’s the key point: accessibility isn’t optional, it’s required.

• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Title II rule, requires all state and local government entities, including public universities, to ensure that their websites and mobile apps are fully accessible to people with disabilities by April 24, 2026.
• It is required by the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (IITAA) that all public university sites are accessible. In order to comply with the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility (IITAA), it is imperative that all websites related to SIU follow certain standards. IITAA Implementation Guidelines for Web-Based Information and Applications: doit.illinois.gov/initiatives/accessibility/guides/web.html

When online content is inaccessible, we’re putting up barriers that don’t just make things harder. They can actually block web users from getting the information they need. If the content isn’t built with accessibility in mind, those users are automatically at a disadvantage.  Whenever possible, avoid text inside graphics, or provide concise alternative text as a safeguard. Just like curb cuts and automatic doors help everyone, digital accessibility improves the online experience for all users. 

Make and keep your website accessible:

Keeping Images accessible on your web pages...

For tips and more information visit the SIU University Web Standards page on Accessibility.