Building accessible websites

Guide for web page editors

This guide is written for those who manage web pages using a Content Management System (CMS), such as Cascade Server. If you build templates in the CMS, please review the section for web developers.

How to get started

We suggest that you do the following first:

  1. Get access to the CMS using your NetID
  2. Read the documentation on how to use the CMS

After you have done the above, this guide will serve to further orient you in building accessible pages in the CMS.

Why web accessibility is important

Web accessibility is important for many key reasons:

  1. On average, 20% of a population has some kind of disability.
  2. Montana's state constitution recognizes a right to individual dignity.
  3. Federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require us to make websites accessible.
  4. UM entered a resolution agreement with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
  5. UM adopted a formal Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy.

Your responsibility

As a CMS editor you are responsible for:

  • Understanding UM's EITA policy and procedures (section 1 especially: web accessibility)
  • Building fully accessible websites, including uploaded documents and media