What staff need to know about electronic accessibility
Staff play a crucial role in ensuring that Binghamton University is accessible to everyone. Our websites, online course offerings, electronic documents, electronic forms and other services and information must meet accessibility requirements under federal and state law.
Webpages
Our Content Management System (Omni Update) has built-in accessibility tools. Always use the page checker before publishing a page.
If you maintain a website outside of Omni Update, it needs to follow accessibility standards like heading structure, alternative text for images, color contrast minimums, and descriptive links. Please see the Knowledge Base article Testing Web Pages for Accessibility for more guidance.
Electronic Documents
Before sharing or publishing an electronic document, ensure it follows accessibility best practices by passing an accessibility checker.
Microsoft Office
In Word, PowerPoint and Excel, use the built-in "Check Accessibility" tool under the Review tab. Learn how to use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker.
Google Workspace
For Google Docs, Slides and Sheets, use the Grackle extension to find and fix issues. Learn how to use Grackle.
More Details and Other Software:
The Accessibility Knowledge Base has many articles on how to create accessible documents, including for Adobe, Canva and LaTeX.
Exporting to PDF
Always use "Save As" or "Export" to PDF. Never "Print" to PDF, as it removes all accessibility tags.
What if I can't fix the document?
If you have a PDF without a source file, complex forms, or errors you cannot resolve, do not struggle with them.
- Submit a document for remediation to have our team fix it for you.
- Review our guide for fixing scanned or untagged PDFs.
- Book group training or one-on-one guidance
If you aren’t sure how some kind of document is supposed to be handled, or have questions about what is required for a document: Request Electronic Accessibility Assistance.
Purchasing and Software
When purchasing web-based software, vendors must provide a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template). This applies whether purchased with a PO, a P-card, or through the contracts workflow.
- See the Knowledge Base Article Purchasing Requirements: VPATs and ACRs
- Submit a VPAT for our team to review
Why Accessibility Matters
Creating an accessible digital environment is more than just a technical requirement or a deadline on a calendar—it is a fundamental part of our commitment to equity and inclusion. As staff and administrators, you are the architects of the University’s daily operations; by adopting simple habits like using accessibility checkers and sourcing compliant software, you ensure that our campus remains a welcoming, "premier" institution for everyone.