Standards and Policies

Federal Law Require Accessible Web Content

Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act ensure individuals with disabilities are not denied the benefits of services, programs or activities of UAMS, including content on the University’s public-facing websites.

Established, Measurable Accessibility Standards

To achieve an accessible web environment, UAMS is following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

WCAG consists of measurable web accessibility standards developed and maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Four Guiding Principles of WCAG – P.O.U.R.

1. Perceivable refers to the fact that users read and interact with websites in different ways, often using assistive technology. This standard provides measurable ways to improve your website so users and assistive technology alike can understand the content presented using their senses, including sight, sound, and touch.
2. Operable refers to the fact that users should be able to use all the functions of your website regardless of whether they use a keyboard and mouse or other type of assistive technology.
3. Understandable sites have clear, simple instructions, explain complex issues, and avoid unusual, inconsistent, or unexpected functions.
4. Robust sites follow recognized standards and conventions for the web.