Digital accessibility is an essential part of enacting our guiding values and making UWM an inclusive learning and working environment, in which we advance student success, close equity gaps and promote employee well-being.
When digital resources are designed to be accessible, this means that people with various disabilities — such as visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments — can interact with UWM’s websites, apps and digital platforms, including Canvas course sites. This promotes timely and equal access to information and services for everyone.
Additional reasons why digital accessibility is broadly beneficial to the UWM community include:
Improved User Experience
Designing for accessibility often enhances usability for all users. Features like responsive design, keyboard navigation and clear content structure benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities.
- It ensures inclusivity for people with neurodivergent conditions (like ADHD, anxiety, autism or cognitive impairments) by reducing overwhelming user journeys, eliminating flashing content and offering clear, concise information.
- It aids those with learning disabilities or who aren’t fluent in English by using accessible fonts and avoiding overly localized language.
- Accessibility helps users with poor internet connections — such as in a coffee shop without high-speed Wi-Fi—by offering alt text when images fail to load.
- Mobile users, especially those with older devices, benefit from responsive designs, and those with limited mobility (like missing limbs or arthritis) can interact more easily through thoughtful interface design.
Larger Audience Research
By making UWM’s digital content accessible, the university can reach a wider audience, including millions of people with disabilities who otherwise might not be able to engage with our content or services.
SEO Benefits
Accessible websites often have better search engine optimization (SEO) because they are structured logically, have descriptive alt text for images and use semantic HTML, which search engines favor. Stronger SEO means that UWM websites will show up more prominently in internet searches, aiding our marketing and recruitment efforts.
Legal Compliance
Many countries have laws and regulations that mandate digital accessibility. In the U.S., for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 require organizations to make their digital services accessible to people with disabilities. Failing to comply can lead to legal actions and penalties for the university.
Ensuring digital accessibility is not only a technical or legal requirement; it also reflects UWM’s commitment to providing an inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone. Prioritizing accessibility is a shared responsibility among all of us at UWM.