Accessibility at Black Hawk College
Overview & Resources
Black Hawk College is committed to ensuring our digital content is accessible to everyone, including individuals who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, or captions.
As part of this commitment—and in preparation for the April 2026 accessibility compliance deadline—all public-facing digital content must meet established accessibility standards before being published on the college website or shared through official channels.
This page provides a high-level overview of what “accessible content” means, why it matters, and where to find guidance for creating compliant materials.
Digital accessibility at Black Hawk College is a shared responsibility. Ensuring that digital content is accessible requires coordination across the college, with each unit and content owner playing an active role.
Why Accessibility Matters
Accessible digital content ensures that all members of our campus community can independently access information, services, and learning materials.
Accessibility supports:
- Individuals who are blind or have low vision.
- Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities.
- Individuals who rely on keyboard navigation or assistive software.
Inaccessible content—such as images with embedded text, scanned PDFs, or uncaptioned videos—can prevent users from accessing critical information.
Accessibility is not only a legal requirement; it is part of Black Hawk College’s commitment to student success.
Accessibility Basics Everyone Should Know
You don’t need to be an expert to avoid common accessibility issues. The following fundamentals apply to most digital content.
Images & Graphics
- Important information (dates, times, instructions) should not be embedded only in images.
- Images should include alternative text (alt text) that describes the content for screen reader users.
- Avoid text-heavy graphics whenever possible—especially for emails and social media.
Documents & PDFs
- Text must be selectable and searchable (users should be able to copy and paste text).
- Documents must use proper headings and structure.
- Scanned images of documents are not accessible unless remediated.
- PDFs posted to the website must meet minimum accessibility requirements before publishing.
Email Communications
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Important details must appear as text, not embedded in graphics.
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Use clear, accessible formatting. Structure emails with headings, bullet points, and descriptive links.
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Use graphics sparingly and include appropriate alt text.
Video & Multimedia
- Videos must include accurate captions.
- Audio-only content should include transcripts.
- Any visual information critical to understanding should be explained verbally or in text.
Accessibility Task Force
The Accessibility Task Force, with representation from multiple areas including web content, instructional technology and learning systems, leads college-wide efforts to:
- Coordinate accessibility planning and implementation.
- Provide guidance, training, and shared resources.
- Support awareness of accessibility standards and best practices.
- Help establish consistent expectations across departments.
The Task Force serves as a coordinating and advisory body and does not create or publish individual content.
Getting Help & Next Steps
If you create or manage digital content:
- Review the Accessibility Resources linked on this page.
- Follow minimum requirements before submitting content for publishing.
Use built-in accessibility checkers in tools like Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
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