At the Leavey School of Business and Santa Clara University, our commitment to the Jesuit principle of cura personalis–care for the whole person–extends to the digital content we create and share.
Digital accessibility means designing websites, documents, videos, emails, and other online content so they can be accessed and understood by people of all abilities. This includes individuals who use assistive technologies, as well as people accessing content in different contexts–on mobile devices, with limited bandwidth, or using older technologies.
In higher education, accessibility is essential to equitable access to learning, information, and engagement. It is most effective when considered from the start of any project, not added later. When accessibility is built into the design process, content is clearer, more flexible, and easier for everyone to use–because accessible content is the most usable content.
Note: To meet new federal requirements, all Santa Clara University digital platforms must conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 AA standards by May 2026.
What Content Needs to be Accessible?
Most of the digital content we create and manage must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for both external and internal audiences. Some narrow exceptions exist in the federal rule, but, as a general rule, if it’s active content that people are expected to use, assume it needs to be accessible.
Websites
All Leavey-managed websites (external and internal) should follow accessibility best practices.
This includes:
- Clear heading structure and page organization
- Descriptive links and meaningful navigation
- Alternative text for images
- Sufficient color contrast and readable typography
- Keyboard-accessible interactions
Accessible websites are easier to navigate, easier to maintain, and easier for all users to understand–regardless of device or ability.
Resources:
- From the University: Making Accessible Websites
- From the University: Sa11y Accessibility QA Tool
- The Sa11y tool is built into the T4 preview (see the lower-right corner of the browser). Whenever you're editing a T4 page, please remediate all errors found by Sa11y immediately.
Video & Audio Content
All video and audio content should be accessible to users who cannot hear, see, or process media in traditional ways.
This includes:
- Accurate captions for videos
- Transcripts for audio-only content
- Visual content that does not rely solely on audio cues
Resources:
- From the University: Video and Multimedia
Emails
Emails sent to students, faculty, staff, alumni, or external audiences should follow accessibility best practices. The content of an email body typically adheres to website accessibility standards.
This includes:
- Logical reading order and clear structure
- Meaningful link text (avoid “click here”)
- Examples of accessible links:
- Examples of inaccessible links:
- Avoiding image-only emails
- Accessible formatting for screen readers and mobile devices
Accessible emails are more readable, more effective, and more likely to reach their intended audience.
Resources:
- From the University: Accessible Emails
Social Media
Social media content should be accessible across platforms, allowing a wider audience to engage with our social media content.
This includes:
- Adding alternative text to images
- Using hashtag capitalization (e.g., #SantaClaraLeavey)
- Avoiding excessive emojis or decorative text
- Ensuring videos include captions
Accessibility helps ensure content is inclusive while also improving clarity and engagement.
Resources:
- From the University: Accessible Social Media
Calendar Events
All events listed on the School calendar (and affiliated group calendars) should follow accessibility best practices. The content of a calendar event typically adheres to website accessibility standards.
This includes:
- Descriptive link text: Use descriptive text instead of "click here" or raw URLs.
- Examples of accessible links:
- Examples of inaccessible links:
- Alternative text for images
- Accessibility statement (please include in event description, emails, and digital signs)
- "In compliance with the ADA/504, please direct your accommodation requests to [name] at [email address or phone] at least 72 hours in advance."
- Preferred language. Use when events are promoted at least one week in advance.
- "In compliance with the ADA/504, please direct your accommodation requests to [email address or phone]."
- Alternate simple language. Use when events are promoted on short notice (not recommended).
- Don't just copy and paste the ADA disclaimer onto advertisements and forget about it. If an event attendee reaches out about an accommodation, make sure it is met.
- "In compliance with the ADA/504, please direct your accommodation requests to [name] at [email address or phone] at least 72 hours in advance."
Resources:
- From Leavey Marcom: Calendar Best Practices
- From the University: the Office of Accessible Education's Accessible Events Checklist
- Cross-reference resources for event communications–including email, calendar, and social media.
Electronic Documents (PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, Google Drive)
Documents shared digitally must be accessible, whether they are used in the classroom, shared internally, or posted online.
This includes:
- Using built-in heading styles
- Properly structured lists and tables
- Meaningful file names
- Tagged and readable PDFs
Documents designed for print are not designed to be digitally accessible, and therefore should not be linked to from the website or attached to emails. Please reach out to Leavey Marcom for accessible solutions.
Resources:
- From the University: Accessible Word Documents
- From the University: Create Accessible Google Docs with Grackle
Course Content
The University offers course instructors many resources–and opportunities for support–in making course content accessible. See the above tips for making Word/Google files (and the PDFs you export from them) accessible.
Resources:
- From the University: UDOIT (tool to scan Camino course content)
- January 27, 2026 Communication from the Provost's Office
Support & Resources
Creating accessible digital content is a shared responsibility across the Leavey School of Business. Leavey Marcom is here to support accessibility efforts and will continue to partner with University resources to provide guidance, tools, and best practices. In addition, the School will be forming a Leavey Accessibility Committee to help coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and identify opportunities for improvement.