Why should I care about accessibility?

As online access to information becomes increasingly popular and necessary, it is critical that everyone, regardless of disability or learning difference, can obtain information from the web and use many other computing resources.

Who uses assistive technology? How do I know if it will be useful for me?

Assistive technology (AT) is used most often by individuals with disabilities, although there is a lot of variety in these kinds of tools.

If an assistive technology tool or resource improves your ability to perform some task or function, then you can and should make use of it!

What can I do to make a difference in the accessibility of my online content?

You can help increase awareness of and practice in creating accessible online content.

Visit our web content page to learn more about authoring online pages accessibly.

Visit our presentation tips page to learn how you can begin making your projects and media more accessible.

Welcome!

The University Library system at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks to bring together academic and technological resources that complement computing needs, particularly in support of students with physical or learning disabilities.

This guide is meant to offer insight into the way students, faculty, and visitors alike might make their online and presented content accessible to as wide an audience as possible, and to provide information about helpful tools available both on campus and off.

• Watch this video: "Understanding Assistive Technology: Simply Said" from the Pacer Center, based in Minnesota, for a simple definition of assistive technology.

• Below are two excellent videos about web accessibility from WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind).

Watch Keeping Web Accessibility in Mind, an overview of issues in web accessibility.

Watch Experiences of Students with Disabilities to hear students share their stories.

Lily Sacharow is a Graduate Assistant and Digital Learning Projects assistant at UIUC's Undergraduate Library.

You may contact her with questions, comments, and suggestions at sacharo2@illinois.edu.

According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, assistive technology (AT), is "any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Helpful defitinions of Accessibility, Assistive Technology, and more from the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act.