Carnegie Mellon University

Digital Accessibility Guidance

Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is accessible to individuals with disabilities or other special needs. “Digital Accessibility” concerns the ability of persons with disabilities to access electronic resources such as the internet, software, mobile devices, e-readers, etc. Carnegie Mellon is committed to making its programs and facilities accessible to all members of the university community, including students with disabilities. This commitment to accessibility extends to digital, electronic, multimedia and other technology resources at the university. Below are some resources that departments may use to help ensure that electronic resources and other technology is provided to university community members in an accessible manner. For assistance requesting accessible software or other materials not listed below please email our office.

If you aren’t sure where to start, review our instructor-led accessibility overview [CMU login required].

Document Accessibility

Making Accessible PDF Handout

Go through a step-by-step process on how to test for PDF accessibility and fix any issues.

Download the handout [PDF]

Digital Accessibility Training Videos

Watch recordings of the digital accessibility trainings by Perkins Access.

Find a training video for you [CMU login required]

Web Accessibility

CMU Web Resources

Get tips for making websites accessible from the CMU Web team.

Read more about web accessibility

Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)

The WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) is a helpful resource for checking your website's accessibility. Enter your page's URL on the site, and WAVE will evaluate your page and offer suggestions for improving its overall accessibility. NOTE: Feedback from the site are not specific to WCAG 2.0 AA and should be used only as suggestions for web accessbility improvement.

Use WAVE on your site

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

WCAG is a set of global usability guidelines to make digital content accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Following these guidelines will help make content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities. These guidelines address important issues:

  • the importance of using descriptive alternative text in all aspects of web design
  • providing synchronized captions for all multimedia that contains audio
  • creating instructions that do not rely solely on images or sound for information

We encourage all Carnegie Mellon websites to adhere to the AA level of conformance.

See How to Meet WCAG 2.1 Requirements

Digital Accessibility Training Videos

Watch recordings of the digital accessibility trainings by Perkins Access.

Find a training video for you [CMU login required]

Related Partners

Digital Accessibility Office

The Digital Accessibility Office within Computing Services is responsible for implementing processes, providing thought leadership, maintaining compliance and offering support resources to guide practices and solutions that align with related digital accessibility policy and strategy.

Services are focused on providing advisory support, coordination, outreach and training opportunities focused on advancing digital accessibility adoption in collaboration with the university community and its partners.

Email the Digital Accessibility Office

Eberly Center

The Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation is available to help CMU faculty and graduate students consider accessibility issues when designing courses, instructional activities and assessments.

Email the EC for a 1:1 consultation

Additional Resources