CMS 5 Resource Guide

Accessible PDFs/Documents

• All documents and PDFs hosted on the site are accessible (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, etc.).

• Accessibility Site: PDF Documents

Alternative Text

• All images use quality alternative text to describe the image for accessibility compliance.
• Alt text on profile images should be first and last name only.
• There is no need to state that the image is a photo. The screen reader will announce it.
• Exception: If the image is a link, the alternative text must describe where the user will go - not the image.

• Accessibility Site: Alt Text

Color Contrast Sufficient

• All elements on the site must pass WG3 accessibility standards for sufficient contrast.

• Accessibility Site: Color Contrast

Contact Page Present (Academic Sites)

• Academic sites (i.e., those with degrees/certificates) must have a contact page.
  • H1 header and page title should be "Contact" or "Contact Us"
  • Strongly recommend including the page in the main menu structure

Footer – Includes Contact Info

• The site has specific department contact information in the footer, not GVSU general contact information.
• Email and phone are required.
• Address and hours are strongly recommended.

Headers 

• Each page has only one <H1> header. 
• Headers are used to provide organizational hierarchy.
  • <H1> as the top header 
    • <H2> as sub-headings
      • <H3> as headings underneath <H2> sub-headings, not <H1> headings

• CMS Resource Site: Chunks Overview

Images

• All images must have descriptive alternative text.
• Images and videos must be high-quality and high-resolution.

• Accessibility Site: Alt Text
• CMS Resource Site: Chunks Overview

Links - Broken Links

• All links must work correctly. 

• Accessibility Site: Hyperlinks
• CMS Resource Site: Hyperlinks

Links - Email Links Formatted Correctly

• When creating a hyperlink to an email you must type out the full email address as the linkable text.
• Example:
  • [email protected] (Correct);
  • email the Web Team (incorrect)

• Accessibility Site: Linking to an Email Address

Links - Embedding the Link

• Links must be hyperlinked within other text, rather showing the entire link. 
• Example: 
  • View our Accessibility website. (correct); 
  • https://www.gvsu.edu/webteam/accessibility/ (incorrect)

• Accessibility Site: Hyperlinks
• CMS Resource Site: Hyperlinks

Videos - Captions Accurate + Present

• Embedded videos and linked videos hosted on GVSU sites must include captions - including videos with little or no talking.

• Accessibility Site: Video and Multimedia

Web Writing

• Text content follows modern web writing guidelines and best practices.

• CMS Resource Site: Creating Engaging Content