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Tools & Resources

Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. If you create websites, software, videos, or electronic documents; or if you procure technology that others use, it is your responsibility to ensure content and technologies are accessible to all users. Mid is committed to providing support to help its community embrace this responsibility.

There are many tools, tips, and resources available within this site, but if you have additional questions contact Strategic Communications.

WHERE DO I START?

This website provides a growing number of how-to pages with step-by-step guides for making particular types of content accessible. To learn more about the accessibility of particular technologies, consult the pages under Tools & Resources that are most relevant for the software you’re using or are especially concerned about.

WHAT IS ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY?

Accessible technology works for all users. This includes electronic documents, websites, software, hardware, video, audio, and other technologies. People who interact with technology are extremely diverse with a wide variety of characteristics, and a traditional monitor, or keyboard and mouse may not be the tool of choice for some.

Consider users

  • who are blind and use either audible output (products called screen readers that read web content using synthesized speech), or tactile output (a refreshable Braille device).
  • with learning disabilities such as dyslexia who may also use audible output referred to as Text-to-Speech (TTS).
  • with low vision using screen magnification software allowing them to zoom into a portion of the visual screen.
  • with fine motor impairments who may be unable to use a mouse, and instead rely exclusively on keyboard commands, or use assistive technologies such as speech recognition, head pointers, mouth sticks, or eye-gaze tracking systems.
  • who are deaf or hard of hearing and are unable to access audio content, and require video to be captioned and audio to be transcribed.
  • who may be using mobile devices including phones, tablets, or other devices, which means they’re using a variety of screen sizes and a variety of gestures or other user interfaces for interacting with their devices and accessing content.

Tips & Tools

Use these tips and tools for specific types of content and review related guidelines.

Learn more about creating accessible documents.

Accessibility requirements include content within course shells hosted on the College's Learning Management System, Moodle. This means that faculty must take care when uploading course content to Moodle and ensure it is accessible before doing so.

  • Resources coming soon!

In addition to accessibility-related policies, Mid also has an Online Presence Policy. This policy is designed to ensure compliance, maintain access to, and manage the College's online reputation positively via online accounts and profiles. The policy also includes accessibility guidelines.

The following resources can assist you in evaluating vendors throughout the procurement process and in ensuring that the required language is included in contracts and agreements.

If you're an approved Social Media Moderator for Mid Michigan College, you should know that social media posts must be accessible. Use the resource below to learn more about making social media content that meets accessibility standards.

Review these training resources from other organizations.

Learn more about creating accessible videos.

Mid Michigan College manages just a few websites, but members of the campus community access many tools via web-based systems.

  • For accessibility questions related to midmich.edu or midmichlakers.com, email stratcomm@midmich.edu.
  • If you have questions about Moodle, contact Online & Distance Learning at online@midmich.edu.
  • If you have questions about another web-based service, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@midmich.edu.
    • Examples include Self-Service, Google Suite, Mid Mich Email, Software, Papercut, etc.

Requesting Documentation?

Are you in the process of requesting accessibility documentation from a third party or vendor? We know this can be a tough discussion to start and difficult to explain. Below are email templates and guidance to help you navigate this discussion and clarify these requirements to the College's outside partners.

Best Practices

  • Save a copy of all vendor correspondence related to accessibility in a dedicated email folder
  • Carbon Copy (cc) your supervisor
  • Don't agree to additional fees, contract extensions, or any requirements the College has to comply with without an internal review first
  • Flag pushback early so leadership can support escalation

When do I use which template?

Templates include OR options so the author can choose which is the most appropriate—requesting documentation for a tool or requesting accessible content. Do not leave both options in the template when sending; be sure to edit the template for clarity by removing one or the other, or combining them, as appropriate.

  • Use Template #1 - Friendly
    • First time contacting a vendor
    • Good/regular partners
    • When asking about accessibility of a product or document
    • When building collaboration
  • Use Template #2 - Escalation
    • No response to first request
    • Vendor pushes back or delays
    • Compliance risk is higher
    • Legal/procurement may soon be involved
  • Use Template #3 - Contract/RFP Language
    • New tools or systems being purchased
    • Renewing current contracts
    • Service upgrades or expansions
    • Anything going through purchasing

Hello [Vendor Name/Contact Name],

Mid Michigan College is continuing its work to meet federal digital accessibility requirements under Title II of the ADA (WCAG 2.1 AA). As part of this process, we are reviewing the accessibility of content and services provided by third-party vendors.

We currently utilize your service: [SERVICE NAME].
 OR
We recently received: [CONTENT NAME].

At this time, we are requesting one of the following:

  • An accessible version of this content (WCAG 2.1 AA compliant)

OR

• Your organization’s accessibility documentation, such as:
 – VPAT
 – Accessibility Conformance Report
 – Accessibility Statement
 – Any existing remediation plan or timeline

If you have any questions or would like to discuss expectations, we would be happy to help.

Thank you for your partnership and collaboration in helping ensure our resources are accessible to all.

Best regards,
 [Your Name]
 [Title]
 Mid Michigan College
 [Email]
 404-376-4275

Hello [Vendor Name/Contact Name],

This is a follow-up to our previous outreach regarding digital accessibility requirements under Title II of the ADA (WCAG 2.1 AA) related to the following service/content: [SERVICE OR CONTENT NAME].

Because this content/service is provided to and distributed by Mid Michigan College, it must meet accessibility requirements for public institutions.

At this time, we still require

  • An accessible version of the content, compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA
     OR
  • Your organization’s accessibility documentation, including a VPAT and/or Accessibility Conformance Report.

Please provide the requested information or confirmation of next steps by [DATE].

If we do not hear back by this time, we may need to escalate this matter for further review.

We value our partnership and appreciate your prompt attention to this request.

Best regards,
 [Your Name]
 [Title]
 Mid Michigan College
 [Email]
 404-376-4275

The vendor shall certify compliance with applicable federal and state digital accessibility laws and standards, including Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and WCAG 2.1 AA.

The vendor agrees that all digital content, platforms, documents, applications, interfaces, and services provided to Mid Michigan College will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Upon request, the vendor must provide current accessibility documentation including, but not limited to

  • A completed VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)
  • An Accessibility Conformance Report
  • An Accessibility Statement
  • A remediation plan and timeline (if deficiencies are identified)

If accessibility issues are identified, the vendor agrees to remediate such issues in a timely manner at no additional cost to the College.

Failure to comply with accessibility requirements may result in termination of the agreement.

Last Reviewed: March 2024