Overview

Under updated ADA Title II requirements, public institutions must ensure that web content is accessible. The compliance deadline has been extended from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027. LBCC is taking a phased approach to meet this requirement, with additional guidance to be shared as it becomes available.

Standards: All web content and mobile applications must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, as outlined in the final regulation effective April 24, 2024.

What This Means for You

(Now through April 26, 2027) Accessibility ensures that all users—including individuals with disabilities—can access and use web content. As a content contributor, you play an important role in making LBCC’s website accessible.

Your Responsibilities:

• Follow accessibility guidelines for all new or updated content
• Avoid creating new accessibility barriers
• Improve existing content over time (phased approach)

​Accessibility is a shared responsibility across department

Accessibility Guidelines for CMS Users

Use Headings to Organize Your Page

In the CMS, the page title is automatically set as H1, and section titles are typically H2. When adding content, start with H3 and continue in order as needed.

• Use built-in heading styles such as H3 and H4, H5, H6 to organize content clearly
• Do not skip heading levels (for example, do not jump from H3 to H5)
• Do not use bold text as a substitute for headings
• Use headings to separate topics and improve readability

Headings make your page easier to read and navigate.

Create Webpages, Not PDFs

• Do not upload PDFs as your main content
• Add your content directly into the CMS as a webpage

PDFs should only be used when necessary, such as for:

• Forms
• Legal or signed documents

If content can be a webpage, it should be a webpage, not a PDF.

PDF Accessibility Requirements

If a PDF must be used, it should follow accessibility best practices whenever possible.

Recommended steps:

• Create the file from an accessible source document, such as Word
• Use proper headings and structure
• Add alt text to images
• Ensure correct reading order

Whenever possible, use an HTML page instead of a PDF.

Add Alt Text to Images

Provide a clear description for all meaningful images. 

• Add alt text to images that contain important information: describe what the image shows or its purpose
• Decorative images do not need alt text

Alt text helps users understand images when they can not see them.

Infographics

If your page includes an infographic, flyer, chart, timeline, or other image containing important information:

• Make sure the same information is also written as text on the page

If users cannot see the image, they should still be able to access the information.

Bad example:
An image includes dates, steps, or instructions, but no text version is provided on the page.

Good example:
An infographic is used as a visual aid, and all key information is also written in text below it.

Best practice:
If an image contains important information, that same information should also be available as text on the page.

Use Clear Link Text

Use link text that clearly describes where the link goes.

• Avoid: ”Click here”
• Use instead: “Apply for Financial Aid”, “View Class Schedule”, “Visit the Counseling Office”

This helps all users understand the purpose of the link. Links should clearly tell users where they are going, what to expect.

Make Videos Accessible

Videos should be accessible to all users.

• Add captions to videos
• Include descriptions if needed

This helps users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Keep Content Clear and Structured – Easy to Read

Write content in a way that is easy to scan and understand.

• Use short paragraphs
• Break content into sections
• Use bullet points when helpful

Tables (if used):

• Use tables only for data (not for layout)
• Include a header row to label columns
• Keep tables simple and easy to read

Simple, well-structured content is easier to read and helps all users navigate your page.

Quick Rule to Remember

If someone cannot see or hear your content, they should still be able to understand it.

Quick Checklist Before Submit for Publishing

Before submit for publishing, confirm that:

• Headings are used correctly
• Content is created as a webpage instead of a PDF whenever possible
• If your page includes images, provide descriptive alt text.
• Infographic content is also available as text
• Links are descriptive
• Videos include captions when applicable

Training and Support

Additional training and guidance will be shared as campus-wide accessibility efforts continue to develop.

To get CMS support:

• Attend a CMS training session
• Review previous training materials
• Submit a web request ticket

Important Note

These guidelines are intended to support accessible content practices within the CMS. Accessibility is a shared institutional responsibility. Broader accessibility standards, compliance requirements, and governance are managed at the college level.