Digital Accessibility Resources

Digital Accessibility Resources

RMIT is committed to inclusion. We aim to meet the diverse needs of our community through setting consistent standards for our online information and the online services we use.

RMIT is committed to inclusion. We aim to meet the diverse needs of our community through setting consistent standards for our online information and the online services we use.

RMIT is committed to inclusion. We aim to meet the diverse needs of our community through setting consistent standards for our online information and the online services we use.

Digital accessibility is the practice of creating websites, applications and documents that can be accessed, navigated and understood by people from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities. This page provides a list of digital accessibility resources to help you create more inclusive content.

Our Digital Accessibility Procedure seeks to ensure that students, staff, and visitors can access and use our digital information and services. 

Digital Accessibility Procedure

This procedure outlines objectives, principles and standards we need to meet to ensure our digital information and services are accessible.

The procedure:

  • applies to our technology platforms, services, and the communications we publish for staff, students and visitors
  • enables us to set clear expectations for our vendors and partners so that they deliver inclusive and accessible technology solutions
  • sets out the goal for RMIT to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 Level AA.

When to use the Digital Accessibility Procedure

The procedure provides guidance on the standards you need to meet if you are developing, commissioning or purchasing content or authoring tools.

Use the Digital Accessibility Procedure if you are:

  • creating content including web pages, websites, web and mobile apps, social media, email messages, and documents shared online including PDFs, Word documents, and images
  • developing or purchasing software applications used for creating and publishing digital resources: including desktop publishing tools, multimedia tools, content management systems, learning management systems, and online web authoring systems.

You will also need to refer to the procedure when employing contractors as digital specialists.

Simple fixes to improve Digital Accessibility

The WebAIM Million is an annual report that evaluates the accessibility of the top one million home pages using automated tools to identify common accessibility errors. It provides insights into the current state of web accessibility and highlights areas for improvement. These errors can be found on the web but also on Word documents, learning management systems, and other digital platforms that enable the creation of content.

Three most common accessibility errors

Low Contrast Text

Low contrast refers to the insufficient difference in colour between the text and its background, making it hard to read. This issue affects people with visual impairments, such as those with low vision or colour blindness. However, having good contrast makes content easier to read and understand for everyone.

Fixing low contrast text

To fix it, you can increase the contrast by using darker text on a lighter background or vice versa. You can also use tools such as WebAIM Contrast Checker to check if the colour combination you have chosen meets contrast requirements.

Missing Alternative Text for Images

This means that there is no descriptive text provided for an image. This is important because people who use screen readers, which are tools that convert the content on a computer screen into voice, rely on this text to understand what the image is about. Without alternative text, these users miss out on important information conveyed by the image. 

Fixing missing alternative text for images

To fix this, you simply need to add a brief description of the image, so that screen readers can read it aloud to users who cannot see the image. How to add the image description will change depending on the platform you are using, but what is important is to keep the description concise, objective, and relevant in the context where the image is being used.

Improper Form Labelling

This means that the labels for form fields (like text boxes, checkboxes, and buttons) are not correctly associated with the form elements. This can be a problem for people who use screen readers or keyboard only. When form labels are not properly connected to their corresponding fields, screen readers cannot accurately convey what each form field is for, making it difficult for users to fill out forms correctly.

Fixing improper form labelling

To fix this, you need to ensure that each form field has a clear and descriptive label that is properly linked to the field. This can usually be done by using the correct HTML tags to associate labels with their corresponding form elements.

Accessibility Resources

More information 

Feedback on the accessibility and inclusiveness of RMIT digital information and services is welcome at inclusion@rmit.edu.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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