UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When units at Penn State communicate online, it is important that everyone has access to the information. That’s why accessibility guidelines apply to all Penn State digital communications intended for a large or general audience, including social media posts and emails. Communications such as event announcements, service updates and information about major changes at the University or within a unit should be accessible to everyone.
Accessibility requirements also extend to official communications and digital spaces across platforms, whether they are fully controlled or just supported by Penn State. Some common accessibility barriers that can unintentionally exclude users include:
- Poor color contrast
- Missing headings
- Unclear link text
- Missing image alternative text
- Inaccessible file attachments
The good news is that many of the tools Penn State employees use to create emails and social media content include built-in accessibility features. The IT Accessibility Team has compiled information about commonly used tools on its Email and Social Media accessibility pages. In some cases, providing content on multiple platforms — such as offering the same information on a website and in a PDF — can also expand access.
However, not all communications are subject to the accessibility requirements outlined in Administrative Policy 69: Accessibility of Information and Communications Technology. Informal communications between individuals and small groups, when no accommodations are needed, may not fall under these guidelines. For example, an announcement about a department event open to all department faculty and students would be considered an official communication subject to accessibility standards, while an internal discussion about budget requests might not be.
For questions about making social media posts or emails accessible, or for other accessibility resources at Penn State, contact the Penn State IT Accessibility team at accessibility@psu.edu.