As a land-grant institution, The Ohio State University has both a legal and ethical obligation to providing content that is accessible to all audiences.
For more information about our accessibility standards, visit the OSU Office of Institutional Equity or check out the recorded video below on how to ensure your digital and face-to-face Extension programming is accessible.
Accessibility in Extension and Higher Education
First half of program: Accessibility of Digital Content As public institutions, we have a responsibility to create and disseminate content that is accessible to all audiences. Creating accessible content means reducing barriers to content consumption and comprehension. Examples include ensuring that screen readers can easily read written text aloud, assigning alternate text to graphics so they may be appropriately described, and including captions with video content. This portion of the webinar will cover the basics of creating accessible digital content and cover our legal obligations in offering content that is accessible to all audiences.
Second half of program: Accessibility of Physical Spaces Extension hosts events and trainings all year long, indoors, outdoors, at university venues, and in public and private spaces – field days, workshops, farmer’s markets, county fairs, AgriTourism and more. When planning Extension events, it is important to consider how to make your event accessible to people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that requires businesses and events to be accessible to everyone, of all abilities. Having accessible entrances, facilities and programs not only benefits the those who have a disability, it also makes businesses and events welcoming to everyone. Providing access is more than getting people through the gate, it also includes advertising, parking, programming, restrooms and more.