Ensure Opportunities in Employment

Accessibility is fundamental to equal access to employment and to attracting and retaining a highly qualified workforce. This includes:

  • Providing accessible job postings, application systems, and onboarding materials
  • Ensuring fair, non-discriminatory interview processes
  • Supporting employees with disabilities through accessible workplace tools and technologies
  • Recruiting and hiring individuals with an understanding of accessibility policies and practices
  • Clearly incorporating accessibility expectations into job postings and position descriptions

Set Employee Expectations

Clear expectations normalize accessibility as a standard of quality work. Accessibility should be reflected in job expectations and professional standards where appropriate. This includes:

  • Identifying accessibility as a required or preferred competency in relevant roles (e.g., developers, instructional designers, communicators)
  • Defining responsibilities for creating accessible content, systems, and services
  • Establishing accessibility training and continuing education expectations
  • Including accessibility as a component of performance evaluations

Impact Your Team

Make accessibility a priority in all work, from document creation to design and development. tEstablish and reinforce the value of accessibility across your team by:

  • Incorporating accessibility within project lifecycles, including regular checks
  • Designing with the diverse needs of people in mind
  • Discussing accessibility best practices as part of routine work
  • Encouraging procurement of accessible digital resources
  • Recognizing individual and team contributions that advance accessibility initiatives

Create Robust Processes

Accessibility is most effective when proactively integrated into workflows, expectations, and decision-making. This approach minimizes barriers before they affect students, employees, or the public. Proactive integration reduces remediation costs and supports consistent compliance.

Incorporate Accessibility Into Planning and Purchasing

  • Evaluate requirements early in project design
  • Include accessibility criteria in vendor selection and contracts
  • Ensure tools and technologies meet established standards

Incorporate Accessibility Into Everyday Workflows

  • Use templates and processes that support accessible documents and communications
  • Incorporate accessibility checks into review and approval cycles
  • Provide consistent training and guidance across teams

Build Better Experiences

Planning for accessibility enhances participation and expands impact. Incorporate accessibility into all stages of meetings and events by:

  • Selecting accessible physical or virtual venues
  • Providing agendas and materials in accessible formats in advance
  • Communicating available accessibility features and how to request support
  • Offering accommodations such as captioning, interpretation, or alternative formats
  • Ensuring meeting platforms and shared content are accessible

Make a Difference on Campus

Advocate for accessibility across campus by:

  • Valuing individuals’ capabilities and contributions
  • Promoting accessibility as an extension of the university’s mission
  • Encouraging stakeholders to consider the needs of all audiences
  • Engaging others in accessibility conversations and leading by example