Digital Accessibility


Web Accessibility is the inclusive practice of making websites and web applications usable by people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. The goal is for all users have equal access to information and functionality. Our guidelines are based on global industry web standards created by the W3C and specifically WCAG 2.1 AA - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Our accessibility experts have experience in accessibility as it relates to academics, web development, and instructional design.  We use a combination of web standards (W3C, WAI, WCAG), federal accessibility guidelines, and user testing with assistive technologies to assess the accessibility of MIT websites, applications, and courseware.  

Primary Goals

  • Provide free accessibility reviews and consulting to MIT
  • Strategize and consult on accessible solutions for code, media, design and educational projects
  • Assist product development groups in applying accessibility guidelines and principles
  • Build awareness of our legal obligations for accessibility under the American with Disabilities Act, 504, and other legal mandates
  • Build cultural awareness and acceptance of the many benefits of accessibility

Primary Services & Methods

  • Design reviews.  Assess the surface of designs: color, contrast, labels, white space, predictability of links and interaction.  We review JPEGs, wireframes, and clickable HTML pages with simple images
  • Code reviews.  Assess the underlying code, taking into account the semantic structure of the code.  We use a mixture of automated tools, live testing using JAWS and NVDA screen readers, and exploration of code against standards

All inquiries are welcome at accessibility [at] mit.edu.