My exploration of accessibility began with my job at Germanna Community College’s writing center, where we produced a spectrum of helpful resources online for students to use. We had several professional development opportunities that taught us not only how to make our resources more accessible, but also why it is important.

The internet is for anyone who is curious. It is for individuals who seek knowledge, and also for users to share their own content or findings. Everyone has the capacity to be curious, so ensuring that access is feasible for everyone is valuable when putting out content.

Why Accessibility?

Accessibility ensures that everyone who is curious can find what they are looking for. With every creation, a standard sometimes forms, and making sure that the standard allows for use by everyone is valuable to the core intention of the web. The article, Practical Reasons for Digital Accessibility, outlines some of the many benefits of exercising accessibility online, as well as defining some of the risks and drawbacks of producing inaccessible content.

How?

Accessibility involves making sure that different tools are utilized to make content understandable by all. Implementing things like image descriptions (for vision impaired viewers), including closed captions (for hearing impaired listeners) , and headers while writing (for screen reader users) are a few different small additions that can be used to make work more accessible.

The Internet is for everyone. Openness and accessibility across the World Wide Web is more important than ever. Read more to learn about the principles of openly sharing accessible content on the Internet.

Openness

Why?

Sharing your content to the Internet, regardless of how complete or polished it is, contributes to the formation and upkeep of online communities. Online communities built upon the open sharing of knowledge often improve user experiences by enabling participants to problem-solve together, build upon new ideas and offer feedback to existing ones.

How?

You can make open content by utilizing open-source platforms such as WordPress and social media such as Youtube. Additionally, ensuring your work is easily accessed by popular search engines, such as Google, will make it more openly available.

Accessibility

Why?

There are a number of reasons to ensure content you post on the Internet meets accessibility guidelines. Legally, many countries require content to meet certain standards for accessibility. Morally, making sure your work is open (see above) to the largest audience possible is the right thing to do.

How?

Simple accessibility modifications of published material, such as ensuring proper heading labels and attaching alternative text for images, is easy to do. Using resources such as this guide by the Web Accessibility Initiative can help you to produce accessible content.

Openness

Why?

Making content open invites more people into the conversation. It helps knowledge circulate freely, encourages collaboration, and supports a web where learning isn’t locked behind barriers.

How?

You can make content open by using permissive licenses, sharing source files, and choosing platforms that support reuse. Tools like Creative Commons License help creators clearly communicate how others can build on their work.

Licenses List – Creative Commons

Accessibility

Why?

Accessible content ensures that people with different abilities, devices, or environments can fully engage with your work. It reflects a commitment to equity and reinforces the idea that the internet is meant for everyone.

How?

Accessibility improves when you use semantic headings, descriptive alt text, readable color contrast, and tools like automated accessibility checkers.