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  • Guidelines

    • WebAIM
      WebAIM provides a free, widely used accessibility checker called WAVE, as well as extensive information about techniques for improving web accessibility. It is a non-profit organization based at...
    • World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
      The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the author of the standards used at Cornell to evaluate web accessibility: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG explains how to make web content...

    PDF Remediation Checklist

    • Create Accessible PDFs
      How to create accessible PDFs with a checklist for all items you need to address.
    • PDF Remediation by a Vendor
      Cornell does not currently have a PDF remediation vendor; the search for a new vendor is in process.
    • Add Tags to a PDF
      Instructions to add tags in Word, InDesign, or Acrobat.
    • Alternate Text for Images
      In order to be WCAG AA compliant, all images must have accompanying text that conveys the same information. Images that add no meaningful information should be marked as decorative. Doing so ...
    • Bookmarks
      Bookmarks help users of assistive technology navigate to sections of long documents. Bookmarks should follow the existing structure including the table of contents and headers....
    • Color Contrast
      WCAG AA Contrast Ratios In order to make PDFs accessible for low vision readers, a certain amount of contrast is required. For normal text WCAG  requires contrast ratios...
    • Format Embedded Links
      How to format embedded links to create an accessible document in Adobe Acrobat
    • Forms
      How to make accessible forms in Adobe Acrobat
    • Heading Structure
      How to correct the heading structure for an accessible PDF in Word, InDesign, or Acrobat.
    • List Structure
      How to create an accessible list structure using Word, InDesign, or Acrobat.
    • Proper and Meaningful Title
      How to set the title of a PDF document in Acrobat or Word.
    • Set Document Language
      Screen readers use document language to determine pronunciation rules. To make your document accessible, you must set the language.
    • Tab and Reading Order
      The order in which content is presented or accessed needs to be defined for screen readers, keyboard navigation and small or zoomed in screens. Tag order defines how screen readers will read...
    • Table Structure
      How to create an accessible table structure in Word, InDesign, or Acrobat.
    • Use a Simulator to Check Your PDF for Accessibility
      To ensure that a PDF is sufficiently accessible, use tools to simulate the experience using a screen reader or low vision reader. Keyboard Simulation Simulating the experience of a...

    Remediation

    Resources

    • Accessibility and Embedded Videos: A Helpful Guide
      Multimedia presentations can be inaccessible to people who are unable to hear their audio content and to people who are unable to see critical information that is presented visually....
    • Color Contrast Tips for Designers and Developers
      When it comes to accessibility on the web, color contrast is an area that can affect multiple audiences, with or without disabilities. Websites with good color contrast can help users with color...
    • Developers Learn How WAI-ARIA Can Improve Accessibility
      ARIA aids screen reader users by assisting in the rendering of non-visual aspects of your website. The Web Accessibility Initiative-Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) is a technical...
    • Internal vs. External in Siteimprove Inventory Section
      Siteimprove may miss assets that are linked within your site if they don’t meet Siteimprove’s definition of an ‘internal’ asset, which includes pages, documents, PDFs, media files, links, and...
    • Maps
      Making maps accessible presents a challenging concern when being aware of what content you have on your website. There is currently no clear standard on how to make a digital map accessible to...
    • Math Equation Accessibility Checkers
      Resources for making accessible mathematical equations on the web or in your documents
    • Recommended Web Accessibility Testing Plan
      These steps provide a high-level view of a recommended way to test a website for accessibility issues. Step 1: Add Your Site to Siteimprove Launch Siteimprove, the university's...
    • Siteimprove Priority Feature Script
      Siteimprove includes a feature called Priority that can help you make better-informed decisions about web accessibility issues. Please note: Siteimprove's documentation refers to the...
    • Use Siteimprove to Check Web Accessibility
      Siteimprove is a full-featured web accessibility management service available to all Cornell faculty and staff at the main Ithaca campus, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Cornell Tech. The Siteimprove...
    • WCAG AA Checklist
      The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) checklist offers recommended techniques for implementing HTML-related principles for WCAG AA conformance. It is developed by WebAIM, and is...
    • Web Accessibility Footer
      All sites across campus must include information about web accessibility in their footer. There are now two options that have been approved for the university. This is an easy and quick change you...