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A recent review of our content from an accessibility and IDEA standpoint

by Anson Parker on 2021-10-20T07:46:00-04:00 in Multidisciplinary | 0 Comments

We're not experts, however we're working on getting CPACC certified this year - thank you Christa @Virginia Tech!

First we got our metrics set up - we went big picture here.  That was not too important for our site, since the content is largely references to other content (we're a library, right?) however for anyone else interested this a reasonably complete list

note on webaim responses (#6 here) = there are a couple of widgets on our site that are auto-generated by our framework that have some w3c errors, however upon inspection they don't really interfere with navigation or much of anything else, so most pages have 2 errors, and we're not too worried about it, however it's on the agenda for future work

 

a link to our spreadsheet review of the guides.hsl.virginia.edu site

 

METRIC #1 * Photos should never be altered to artificially create diversity.
(we will audit for the use of stock photography, following UVA Health diversity recommendations here, https://www.uvahealthbrand.com/standards/policies/diversity)
METRIC #2 * Monitor the choice of photos and video subjects to accurately and authentically reflect the diversity of actual student, faculty, and staff demographics.
(we will audit for race/ethnic representation and offer actual #'s and %'s of represented groups on our website in photos and videos)
METRIC #3 * When possible, write (or rewrite) communications to be in the plural form by using the plural pronoun of “they” instead of the singular pronouns of “he” and “she.” If it is not possible to write in the plural form, use the singular pronoun of “s/he” to be more inclusive.
(we will audit for gender narrowed references and/or unnecessary uses of gender)
METRIC #4 * Use the gender-neutral nouns of “people,” “person” or “parent” instead of “man,” ”women,” “father” or “mother.” For example, use “chairperson” instead of “chairman” or state that “all people are created equal” instead of “all men are created equal.”
METRIC #5 * Capitalize the “b” in the term Black when referring to people in a racial, ethnic or cultural context. The lowercase black is a color, not a person.
METRIC #6 * All websites should be accessible as defined by w3c standards.
(We will use the WebAim (Wave) tool for accessibility auditing of all pages) and count every error regardless of merit
METRIC #7 * All videos should have closed captioning.
(as described, we will audit for this)
METRIC #8 * Be mindful of the use of symbols such emojis on social media. For example, choose different emojis of color to represent the diversity of the organization/community.
(as described, we will audit for this in our webpages in case they are used on webpages but I don't expect this will be an issue)
METRIC #9 Indigenous and Aboriginal are identities, not adjectives, and should be capitalized to avoid confusion between indigenous plants and animals and Indigenous human beings. Avoid referring to Indigenous people as possessions of states or countries. Instead of “Virginia’s Indigenous people,” write “Indigenous people of Virginia,”
METRIC #10 LGBTQ is acceptable in all references for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual, ally and intersex community. It does not need to be defined. If sources prefers another acronym, such as LGBTQIA+ that is acceptable too.
METRIC #11 Capitalize the proper names of nationalities, peoples, races, tribes, etc. However, use only when relevant to the story. When identifying someone by race or nationality, be sensitive to the person’s preference and standard accepted phrases. For example, do not use Oriental for people who are Asian. See Hispanic and Native American entries.
METRIC #12 Acceptable forNative American people in the U.S. Follow the person’s preference. Where possible, be precise and use the name of the tribe: He is a Navajo commissioner. Such words or terms as wampum, warpath, powwow, teepee, brave, squaw, etc., can be disparaging and offensive (when not referring to something by its formal name). Do not appropriate these phrases for non-cultural uses, such as using the term “powwow” to refer to holding a meeting.

  *   First Nation is the preferred term for native tribes in Canada.
  *   Tribes from Alaska prefer Alaska Native.
  *   Lowercase tribe/tribal and reservation except as part of the formal name.
  *   Use Indian only for people from India.
  *   On second reference, Native/Natives is acceptable.
METRIC #13   *   Transgender is an adjective, not a noun. Do not use the term “transgendered.”
  *   The physical changes made to a transgender person’s body are referred to as “transition,” not “sex change.”

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