Chesterfield County School District

Ensuring Accessibility for All Users

Web accessibility involves making sure that digital documents posted online are properly formatted so people with disabilities can access and understand the content. For example, visually impaired users may rely on screen readers to access web content, including documents. Therefore, these resources need to be created to ensure screen readers can easily access and read the content. Additionally, some users may be limited to keyboard-only access, so digital documents on websites (and Google Classroom) should be able to be "tabbed" through using only a keyboard. 

District Accessibility Guidelines

1. Document & Text Clarity

• Use Headings: Don't just bold text to make a title; use the "Styles" menu (Heading 1, Heading 2) in Google Docs or Word. This allows screen readers to navigate the page structure.

• Choose Sans-Serif Fonts: Use clean, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana. Avoid decorative or "handwritten" fonts for core instructional material.

• High Contrast: Ensure text stands out clearly against the background (e.g., black text on a white or light yellow background). Avoid light grey text or neon colors.

2. Images & Visuals

• Add Alternative Text (Alt-Text): For every image used in a slide deck or on a class website, add a brief description. If the image is purely decorative, mark it as such.

• Don't Use Color Alone: Do not use color as the only way to convey meaning (e.g., "Answer the questions in red"). Instead, use "Answer the questions marked with an asterisk (*)."

3. Video & Audio Content

• Captions are Mandatory: Only show videos that have accurate closed captioning. Avoid "auto-generated" captions if they are prone to errors in technical subjects.

• Provide Transcripts: For audio-only clips (like podcasts), provide a written transcript for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

4. Hyperlinks

• Use Descriptive Links: Instead of "Click here," use descriptive text that tells the student where the link goes.

  • Bad: Click here for the rubric.

  • Good: Review the Scientific Method Essay Rubric.

5. Tables & Organization

• Keep Tables Simple: Use tables for data, not for page layout. Always define a "Header Row" so screen readers know what each column represents.

• Bullet Points: Use numbered or bulleted lists to break up dense paragraphs. This helps students with processing disorders or ADHD follow the logic more easily.

Quick Accessibility Checklist for Lesson Planning

Use the built-in "Accessibility Checker" tool in Google Classroom before hitting 'Assign' to catch any missed Alt-Text or contrast issues.