Web Accessibility
General Information
Computing, especially on the World Wide Web, is an integral part of Michigan State University. This site is a resource to the various computing needs that different people on campus might have.
In the development of the this site we have worked towards adding a significant number of accessibility features. We have added these features to compliment the use of assistive technologies and to help make the site usable to the broadest possible audience, everyone from those who use assistive technologies to those with a low end browser or computer.
For assistance with the content and function of this site, please use 'Contact Us' link at the very bottom of every page. We also provide a link back to this Accessibility page at the bottom of each page. Persons using assistive devices should contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities for assistive technology assistance.
Users of the JAWS screen reader: Please be aware that JAWS is designed to work best with Internet Explorer. If you are using JAWS but have selected to use another browser, JAWS may not be able to take advantage of the accessibility features provided within this application.
Note: Once you navigate outside of this site these accessibility features might not necessarily be implemented
Guidelines
- For general information regarding the MSU Statement of Encouragement and Computing Environment: Accessibility Features of the MSU Campus, please go to the MSU Web Accessibility site.
- For further information on accessibility best practices, please go to the msu.edu Style Guide Accessibility Recommendations
Access Keys
Most web browsers support linking to specific pages by typing named access keys:
- Windows users
- Mozilla Firefox & Netscape: Press ALT + an access key.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer: Press ALT + an access key + ENTER
- Macintosh users: Press CONTROL + an access key.
All pages on this site use the following access keys for common tasks:
- S - Skip to Content
- 1 - Home Page
- 2 - News
- 3 - Site Map
- 4 - Search
- 5 - About This Site
- 6 - Contact Us
- 0 - Accessibility
All pages contain a 'skip to content' link for users who use speech browsers or keyboard navigation who wish to avoid repeated groupings of links.
Visual Design
This site uses a hybrid cascading style sheets (CSS) and table design to allow for the greatest amount of backwards browser compatibility. Turning off the style sheet will affect the visual presentation and may affect the functionality of the site for some users.
Changing Text Sizes
This site CSS uses relative font sizes, compatible with the user-specified 'text size' option in visual browsers. If you need to change the text size in your web browser, we have the following tutorials:
- Changing Text Size in Internet Explorer
- Changing Text Size in Mozilla Firefox
- Changing Text Size in Netscape 7.1
- Changing Text Size in Opera
Links and Images
- Necessary links were assigned 'TITLE' attributes to describe the target in greater detail. Users of assistive technology may wish to set screen reader options to take full advantage of this feature.
- Images used in this site include a descriptive 'ALT' attribute. Those images which are purely decorative or used for layout include a null 'ALT' attribute.
Tables
- Screen reader table functions within screen readers may be used on this site. The tables are properly coded to take advantage these functions. Example: Using JAWS in Internet Explorer, use Control - ALT - Right Arrow to properly read a table with table headers.
- Tables used in this site include 'SUMMARY' attributes to describe the table in greater detail.
- Tables used in this site which are purely decorative or used for layout include a null 'SUMMARY' attribute.
