Website Accessibility at UMBC

• Use heading levels in order — don’t skip levels
• Use headings to organize content for both sighted users and screen readers
• Don’t simulate headers by resizing or bolding text

Quick Win: Start pages with a clear <h1> and use <h2> for major sections

• Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning (e.g., “Items in red are overdue”)
• Ensure text contrast is at least 4.5:1 for body text
• Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker

Quick Win: Check your headings and buttons for contrast with the background. Review this handy guide to UMBC Brand Color Contrast combinations.

• Use meaningful link text (e.g., “View our schedule” instead of “Click here”)
• Avoid duplicate links with the same text that go to different places
• Indicate when a link opens a new window or downloads a file

Quick Win: Hover over your links — do they make sense out of context?

• Use tables only for data, not for layout
• Never use images of tables — use the tables themselves to display data
• Ensure tables read logically when linearized by screen readers
• Include row and column headers with <th> tags
• Sites and myUMBC do not support creating or editing tables, but you can use Tables Generator for HTML

Quick Win: Try reading your table aloud — does it make sense?

• Images must have descriptions, even thumbnails and inline visuals. Not sure whether an image needs a description or if it should be marked decorative? Try this decision tree.
• Avoid using text inside images since screen readers cannot interpret them.
• Complex images (e.g., infographics, charts) should include a longer description or linked text alternative

Quick Win: Ask yourself, “What would I say if I were describing this image out loud?”

Adding descriptions to images in Sites@UMBC:

• Option 1: Edit the page → click image → pencil icon → add alt text → update
• Option 2: Go to Media → Library → select image → add description

Adding descriptions to images in myUMBC:

• • Edit the post or event
    • Thumbnail: Enter description
    • Inline image: Use “Add Alt Text” feature
  • Save!
  • Learn more with this FAQ.

• All videos must include captions
• Audio content should have transcripts
• Avoid autoplay media or provide controls to stop it

Quick Win: Use our video capture platform’s auto-caption feature, then edit for accuracy. Note: UMBC uses Panopto through Dec 2025 and will start using YuJa in 2026.

• Include a “Skip to Main Content” link at the top of each page
• Ensure all interactive elements are accessible using the keyboard only
• Avoid hover-only content (e.g., tooltips or dropdowns that don’t work with keyboard focus)

Quick Win: Try navigating your site using only the tab key

• Label all form fields clearly
• Provide instructions for completing the form (e.g., required fields)
• Avoid placeholder-only labels — use actual visible labels

Quick Win: Use the preview mode and test your form with a screen reader