Web Resources

Resources:

Website Accessibility Guidelines

Website Accessibility Guidelines

Creating accessible content ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and interact with GCCCD’s digital resources. Accessibility is also required under federal and state regulations.

Expand All | Collapse All

If you’re creating or editing content, focus on these essentials:

  • Use clear, structured headings (H1, H2, H3)
  • Write descriptive link text (avoid “click here”)
  • Add alt text to images
  • Ensure color contrast is readable
  • Use built-in accessibility checkers (Word, Adobe, etc.)

Before publishing any page or document, make sure:

  • Headings are in the correct order (no skipping levels)
  • Links clearly describe their destination
  • Images include meaningful alt text (or are marked decorative)
  • Tables include headers and are used for data only
  • Documents pass accessibility checks

When editing website content in the CMS:

  • Structure content using headings—not bold text for layout
  • Avoid vague links like “read more” or “click here”
  • Use lists and spacing to improve readability
  • Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning

Make your documents accessible before uploading:

Word Documents

  • Use built-in heading styles
  • Add alt text to images
  • Run the Accessibility Checker

PDFs

  • Ensure PDFs are tagged properly
  • Use proper reading order
  • Verify accessibility in Adobe Acrobat

PowerPoint

  • Use slide layouts (not manual formatting)
  • Add alt text to visuals
  • Check reading order

Excel

  • Use headers for tables
  • Avoid merged cells when possible
  • Label data clearly

We recommend signing up for the WebAIM Accessible Document Training Course to build your skills in creating accessible materials.

Accessible content:

  • Supports all students, employees, and community members
  • Improves usability for everyone
  • Helps the District meet legal accessibility requirements

If you need support with accessibility or aren’t sure where to start, please contact the help desk.


Continued Learning


ADA Title II Accessibility Guidance

The California Community Colleges Accessibility Center’s guide outlines practical steps to support compliance and improve accessibility.

Learn more about staying compliant with ADA Title II

Managing PDF Accessibility

Institutions often manage large volumes of PDFs. Explore strategies to prioritize and improve document accessibility sustainably.

Learn more about strategies for PDF conversion

Improving Web Accessibility

Automated tools detect only a portion of accessibility issues. Learn how to take a structured approach to making ongoing improvements.

Learn more about closing web accessibility gaps

Statewide Accessibility Collaboration

A partnership between California Community Colleges and CSU expands access to tools, training, and shared resources to support accessibility efforts.

Learn more about accessibility collaboration

For detailed guidance on creating accessible web content, visit the official Section508.gov Web Content Development page.