# Accessibility

The following information is intended to support creating digital scholarship projects that are more accessible for the disabled and for those affected by the digital divide and digital redlining. If you have any recommendations on how to improve the content, [please let us know.](mailto:digschol-ggroup@bc.edu)&#x20;

### **Common Practices**

It's important to design projects from the beginning with accessibility in mind. This involves, among other steps, making sure that:

* Screen readers can effectively navigate and communicate page content and interfaces
* Auditory based information, e.g., podcasts, is also available in text form
* Videos are captioned
* There is an alternative way for users to access video-based information and any medium that requires more bandwidth, e.g., a text and still image version of the content
* Digital project are mobile-friendly (responsive design)

### General Resources

The following resources are useful for a variety of digital project types:

* [Accessibility Cheatsheet](http://www.codlearningtech.org/2018/11/13/the-accessibility-cheat-sheet/)
* [Digital A11y Cheatsheets](https://www.digitala11y.com/accessibility-cheat-sheets/)&#x20;
* [Essential Components of Web Accessibility ](https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/components/)([full guidelines](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/))
* [Web browser extensions ](https://www.digitala11y.com/accessibility-plug-ins-ie-chrome-firefox-browsers/)run tests for the visually impaired, e.g., check contrast

### **DS Tools Accessibility**  &#x20;

The following is a list of commonly used tools and platforms and their related accessibility information:&#x20;

* **Esri** - [Accessibility Resources](https://www.esri.com/en-us/accessibility/resources) provides information ranging from creating accessible [ArcGIS Story Maps](https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-storymaps/constituent-engagement/writing-accessible-story-map-content/) to [creating accessible pdfs in ArcGIS Pro](https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-pro/mapping/creating-accessible-pdfs-in-arcgis-pro/) to [creating accessible basemaps](https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-living-atlas/mapping/towards-an-accessible-basemap/)
* **Exhibit.so** - [Accessibility statement](#common-practices)
* **Tableau** - [Accessibility FAQ](https://community.tableau.com/s/question/0D54T00000C6nsjSAB/faq-accessibility?_ga=2.147905463.1075986722.1628274230-1210985209.1625142954&_gac=1.14145861.1628274230.Cj0KCQjwu7OIBhCsARIsALxCUaMsfD1sRBPrVl1mnULKL6wXqaZ6BPExsXwVhxLHvfJmTOePCrpJH8MaAuljEALw_wcB) includes information on such things as creating data views and dashboards for the visually impaired
* **Omeka** - [Accessibility statement](https://omeka.org/classic/docs/GettingStarted/Accessibility_Statement/)
* **Wordpress** - [Accessibility statement](https://wordpress.org/about/accessibility/)

#### **Related Tools**

* **Adobe Acrobat DC** - [Guides](https://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/acrobat/training.html) for created accessible PDFs in Acrobat&#x20;
* **Powerpoint** - [Guide](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-6f7772b2-2f33-4bd2-8ca7-dae3b2b3ef25) on how to create an accessible PDF&#x20;