Accessiblity & Usability Checklist

Accessibility Guidelines for Brightspace Content

This checklist highlights common accessibility issues that can be quickly addressed to improve course accessibility and student experience. It is not a full accessibility review but a practical guide to help meet WCAG standards. Select the for more detailed information about each topic below.

Clarity:

• Font: Ensure that the text is clear and easy to read. Avoid using overly decroative or complex fonts.
• Size: Use a font size of at least 12pt (17px) or 14pt (20-24px) for body text.

Contrast and Color:

• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors.
• Do not use color as the only way to convey important information.

Tabular Text and Text Images:

• Ensure tabular information and data remain accessible in all formats (visual and auditory).

• Avoid embedding images of text and use typed text instead.

Images and Alternative Text (Alt-Text):

• Add descriptive alt text to images so users who cannot see them can understand their purpose or context.
• Provide long descriptions for complex images to explain essential information.

• If an image is decorative, use a null alt attribute (alt="").

Video and Multimedia:

• Provide accurate, clear captions for prerecorded and live videos to support users who may need them.
• Ensure overlaid text in media has sufficient contrast with the background.

• Use descriptive titles and provide transcripts for multimedia content.

• Ensure recorded instructional media clearly explains demonstrated actions.

• Auto-playing audio should stop within 3 seconds or provide user controls to pause or stop it.

• Avoid content that flashes more than three times per second.

Headings and Structure:

• Use a descriptive title for web pages and PDFs.

• Organize content with clear headings and subheadings using proper heading styles in logical order (H1, H2, H3, etc.).

• Ensure the reading order follows the intended visual sequence and that all navigation can be completed using a keyboard.

H1 H2 H3

Links and Navigation:

• Use clear, descriptive hyperlink text.
• Avoid phrases like "click here."

• Provide multiple ways to navigate content (such as links, table of contents, site map, or search).
• Ensure navigation can be completed using only a keyboard.

References

The Center for Online Learning and Teaching Technology Instructional Design and Development Team | 2026

Tabular Text and Text Images

Example:

More Information:

References

Federal

Website to Federal Section 508

Section 508. (n.d.). Home. U.S. General Services Administration. https://www.section508.gov/

Information and Communication Technology Revised 508 Standards and 255 Guidelines

U.S. Access Board. (n.d.). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility. U.S. Access Board. https://www.access-board.gov/ict/

State

Texas Administrative Code: Accessibility Standards for Insitutions of Higher Education

Texas Secretary of State. (n.d.). Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 213, Rule 213.30. Texas Administrative Code. https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=1&pt=10&ch=213&rl=30

UT System

University of Texas System Administration Accessibility Policy

University of Texas System. (n.d.). Accessibility. https://www.utsystem.edu/accessibility

General Guidelines for Accessible Content Design

University of Texas System. (n.d.). General Guidelines for Accessible Content Design. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://www.utsystem.edu/accessible-course-design/creating-accessible-content/general-guidelines-accessible-content-design

UTRGV

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Web Accessiblity

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. (n.d.). Web Accessibility Policy. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://www.utrgv.edu/site-policies/web-accessibility/index.htm

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Web Standards and Guidelines Checklist

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. (n.d.). UTRGV Web Standards and Guidelines Checklist. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://www.utrgv.edu/it/policies/utrgv-web-standards-and-guidelines-checklist/index.htm

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

World Wide Web Consortium Accessibility Principles

World Wide Web Consortium. (n.d.). Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) - Accessibility Principles. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-principles/

World Wide Web Consortium - Designing for Web Accessibility

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. (n.d.). Tips for Designing Accessible Websites. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://www.w3.org/WAI/tips/designing/

Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM)

WebAIM - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

WebAIM. (n.d.). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview. Retrieved [2024,03,08] from https://webaim.org/standards/wcag/

WebAIM - Section 508 Checklist

WebAIM. (n.d.). Section 508 Checklist. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist/

WebAIM - Test Web Content for Accessibility

WebAIM. (n.d.). Evaluation and Testing Quick Reference. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://webaim.org/resources/evalquickref/

WebAIM - Word and PowerPoint Accessiblity Evaluation Guide

WebAIM. (n.d.). Evaluation and Testing Office Tools. Retrieved [2024,03,08], from https://webaim.org/resources/evaloffice/

Contrast and Color:

Example:

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.

Images and Alt Text:

Example

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.

Text Clarity:

Example:

More Information:

Links and Navigation:

Example:

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.

Video and Multimedia:

Example:

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.

H1 H2 H3

Heading and Structure:

Example:

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.

Text Clarity:

Example:

More Information:

When copying and pasting from Word Documents, it is recommended to Clear Formating.