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IT Services Accessibility Considerations

Screen readers enable users with visual impairments to interact with a computer.

Sometime ago I had the opportunity to train a former ֱ Ph.D. alumnus and employee. I was teaching himhow to use the and what was impressive about thisis that he was blind.

It was a truly enriching experience as it allowed me to “put myself in his shoes” and understand the challengesand potential frustrations that can arise whensomeone who can’t see the screen, interacts with a computer.

Here are some takeaways from this experience.

I hope these insights will benefit others and help you understand why making content accessible can really make a difference.

The items presented in this article focus on accessibility within the context of ֱ WMS websites.

The concepts are, however,
more broadly relevant to other systems as well.

Accessibility Overview Focus on ֱ websites

JAWS & other Screen Readers

is a software package used extensively by blind and low-vision users. It’s a screen reading program that can read aloud anything on your computer screen including your web browser.

Thanks to JAWS (and other screen readers), individuals with visual impairments can use a computer: write documents, explore the Web, etc.

Accessibility programs such as JAWS, and other assistive technologies, highlight the positive impact of technology, as they allow individuals with disabilities equal access to society. In this case, assistive technologies allowed a blind student to complete his Ph.D. at ֱ.

As a WMS Instructor,
I learned a few things from supporting this student with their accessibility needs. When observing a person using a screen reader for the first time, you quickly realize that the mouse we use to navigate our computers is quite useless in this context, as there is no way for a blind user to know where the cursor is on the screen. Navigation is therefore performed using the keyboard’s arrows and various function keys. Text is read out to users on-the-fly and users thus know where the cursor is located on the screen.

Structuring Headings

When designing accessible webpages, it is important to make use of headings (heading 2, heading 3, etc.) instead of simply formatting your text to look like a heading. Doing so will help a screen reader user more easily make sense of your page. One of the most common functions in the JAWS screen reading program is a feature that quickly reads out page headingsallowing a quickjump to the appropriate section.

ALT text & Images

One source of frustration for screen reader users is the omissionof alternative text for images and other visual content.

is an option in HTML when using images, that allows creators to include descriptive text. This text is read out by screen reading software to users, so they have an understanding of what the image is about. If you do not include alt text, these users miss out on the information in the visual content.

Creating Accessible PDFs

Another source of frustration in this context is encountering PDFs that are published “as an image”. When you open a PDF and it is impossible to select any of the text within it, you’re most likely dealing with an inaccessible PDF.

When screen readerusers encounter such a document, they have to do additional work using a companion application to make the PDF readable by the software. This is time consuming and it does not always work. Thus, the best practice should always be to make sure the PDFs are accessible to begin with.

There are some strategies one can use to create accessible PDFs:

  1. Microsoft, for instance, has an ;
  2. Adobe Acrobat Professional includes an option to .

Accessibility Services at ֱ

Office365 Accessibility

Office 365 ProPlus and are available via IT Services.

IT Training

Web Management System training which includes accessibility best practices is offered via .

Web Services

Additional accessibility training is available via web services (WS-105).

OSD & Provost's Office

In depth accessibility coverage is available via the Office for Students with Disabilities and the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic).


Refer to the followingin-depth articles on the topic:

Additional Resources


If you believe an is present on a given ֱ website or applicationplease report it via the following form:


Accessibility videos

ֱ YouTube alternatives for Closed Captioning:

  • The ֱ Office 365 Stream video sharing platformcan generateclosed captions of recordings.
  • The includes a closed captioning option.
  • Academic lectures uploaded via the include closed captioning.
  • Closed captions can also be generated manually using .

Linkedin Learning courses

The following to all regular Academic,AdministrativeSupport and Trades Staff.

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