Overview
Digital accessibility applies to all forms of digital content and technology, not just websites.
Whether you are publishing a web page, sharing a PDF, sending an email, posting on social media, or creating a video, accessibility helps ensure that people with disabilities can access, understand, and use the information you provide.
This section provides practical guidance for creating accessible content across common digital formats used throughout UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).
Start With Accessibility Essentials
Many accessibility best practices apply across all content types.
Before creating content, review Accessibility Essentials to learn about:
- Plain language and readability
- Headings and structure
- Alternative text
- Color and visual design considerations
- Meaningful links
- Captions and transcripts
- Accessible documents and tables
Accessibility is most effective when incorporated from the beginning rather than added later.
Choose Your Content Type
Web Content
Learn how to create and maintain accessible web pages, including:
- Headings and page structure
- Links and navigation
- Lists and tables
- Forms and interactive content
- Accessible publishing practices
Recommended for: Website editors, content managers, and web content contributors.
Images & Graphics
Learn how to make visual content accessible, including:
- Alternative text
- Informative and decorative images
- Charts and graphs
- Infographics
- Visual design considerations
Recommended for: Anyone who creates or publishes images, graphics, or visual communications.
Color & Visual Design
Learn how to create accessible visual content, including:
- Color contrast
- Color-independent communication
- UC ANR brand color combinations
- Accessible charts and graphs
- Visual design best practices
Recommended for: Anyone who creates visual content, presentations, reports, marketing materials, websites, or graphics.
Documents & PDFs
Learn how to create accessible documents and PDFs, including:
- Microsoft Word documents
- PowerPoint presentations
- Excel spreadsheets
- PDF accessibility
- Document structure and navigation
Recommended for: Anyone who creates, shares, or publishes documents.
Video & Multimedia
Learn how to create accessible multimedia content, including:
- Captions
- Transcripts
- Audio descriptions
- Accessible media players
- Webinar and presentation accessibility
Recommended for: Anyone who creates, records, publishes, or shares video and audio content.
Email Accessibility
Learn how to create accessible emails and newsletters, including:
- Accessible formatting
- Headings and structure
- Images and alternative text
- Links and call-to-action buttons
- Readability considerations
Recommended for: Anyone who sends email communications or newsletters.
Social Media Accessibility
Learn how to improve accessibility across social media platforms, including:
- Alternative text
- Accessible hashtags
- Captioned video
- Image accessibility
- Inclusive communication practices
Recommended for: Anyone who manages social media accounts or creates social media content.
Accessibility Applies Throughout the Content Lifecycle
Accessibility should be considered whenever content is:
- Planned
- Created
- Reviewed
- Published
- Updated
- Archived
- Retired
Addressing accessibility early is typically faster, less expensive, and more effective than remediating content after publication.