Every improvement matters, every Bobcat benefits: Learn more about digital accessibility

Every day, Ohio University students, faculty, staff and community members rely on digital content to learn, work, communicate and access important services.

Whether it's a Canvas course, a shared document, a University website, a video or an email announcement, digital information is woven into nearly every aspect of campus life.

But is technology leaving some behind?

Digital accessibility means that information or communication technology can be used by a wide range of people, including those with disabilities who also may be using assistive technology. When digital content is accessible, everyone benefits.

Accessible documents are easier to navigate, captions make videos more usable in a variety of settings and well-organized webpages help people find information more efficiently.

Many accessibility best practices also improve usability for mobile users, multilingual audiences and anyone accessing information in less-than-ideal circumstances. For individuals with disabilities, these practices can mean the difference between full participation and significant barriers.

Deadline clarifies our goals

As the April 2027 compliance deadline for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approaches, the message "Every Improvement Matters. Every Bobcat Benefits." reflects an important reality: meaningful accessibility improvements are often the result of small, consistent actions taken over time. Progress over perfection. Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility, and even small improvements can help reduce barriers for students, employees and community members.

The good news is that creating accessible content does not require advanced technical expertise. Ensuring adequate color contrast for text on PowerPoint slides, providing accurate captions for videos and using descriptive links in emails are practical steps that make digital content easier for everyone to use.

Take action today

To support these efforts, Ohio University's Office of Information Technology (OIT) developed the Seven Core Digital Accessibility Skills course. The self-paced course focuses on practical skills that everyone can apply in their everyday work. Rather than emphasizing technical mastery, the course encourages participants to build sustainable habits that make accessibility a natural part of creating and sharing digital content.

More than 200 members of the University community have already enrolled. Participants can focus on the skills most relevant to their roles while learning how these techniques improve access and usability for people with disabilities.

Meaningful accessibility improvements are not achieved through one large effort. They are built through small, consistent habits practiced over time. Every accessible document, properly built table, well-structured webpage, and thoughtfully designed course contributes to a more inclusive Ohio University, one core skill at a time.

Get Started with the Seven Core Skills of Digital Accessibility

The Seven Core Skills course is available to all Ohio University employees and provides practical guidance for creating more accessible digital content. You can learn more about the course and accessibility resources available on the OIT website.