Develop a Website

Student sits under tree with laptop

One of the most important resources is often your website. This is not only where key policies and procedures might be stored, but it also can be an important engagement tool. Put simply, all users who come to your website should be able to effectively engage with the content.  

While the website templates used within UNH are accessible, it does not mean that content is automatically accessible. Accessibility needs to be actively built into pages and content by content managers. Whenever pointing to websites, it is critical that content is accessible prior to posting and steps are taken to ensure all websites are fully accessible.  

Opportunities and Challenges 

Accessibility opportunities  

  • Websites can be a great way to present complex content.  
  •  Websites are flexible in terms of design, presentation, and organization.  
  •  Websites can be used to present multiple representations of content.  
  • Accessibility can be built into all aspects of the website. 
  • There are easy to use templates that you can use to create a website.  

Accessibility challenges 

  • When not using standard templates, structural changes can be complicated to create.  
  • Think about accessibility across the site itself, as well as across the different types of content that might be presented.  
  • Websites that are already developed may need to be reviewed for accessibility.  
  • Websites can be edited by multiple people, so a coordinated approach is needed.  
  • Websites editor tools and standards change, so on-going training is important.  

Learn More about Accessible Websites

Website Suggestions

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  • Implement the accessibility essentials  
    • Accessible headings  
    • Alternative text  
    • Color contrast 
    • Descriptive links 
    • Accessible tables and charts  
    • Captions and transcripts 
    • Clear language  
  • Ensure compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 level AA (WAI - Accessibility Principles)  
    • Content needs to be perceivable.  
    • Content needs to be operable.  
    • Content needs to be understandable. 
    • Content needs to be robust.  
  • Before publishing a page, review the page with an Accessibility Checker as well as through a manual review.  

  • Implement the accessibility essentials  
    • Accessible headings – When creating page content start with heading level 2. Heading level 1 is the title of the page.  
    • Alternative text – Ensure alt-text is added when adding a picture or image.  
    • Color contrast – Consider how color is used throughout the website not only for design purposes, but also in terms of how color is used to convey meaning.  
    • Descriptive links – Ensure all links are descriptive and, if possible, indicate an action.   
    • Accessible tables and charts – Simplify tables and charts, and when using ensure tables and charts are accessible in terms of format and color.  
    • Captions and transcripts – Ensure all videos have captions and audio-only files have transcripts.  
    • Utilize clear language.
  • Ensure all resources posted are accessible
    • Consider key suggestions for documents, video and audio content, presentation software, etc.  
  • Ensure all links provided lead to accessible content
  • Before posting content, review the content with an Accessibility Checker as well as through a manual review
  • Include a person to contact for accessibility or accommodation requests or concerns