Accessibility
Introduction
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where students, faculty, and staff feel welcome and fully engaged in all our programs, services, and activities. UI COM works closely with both the UIC Disability Resource Center and the UIC Office of Access and Equity to identify and eliminate barriers and obstacles that may exist. This page provides information on accessibility services and tools designed to ensure equal access to our digital content.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for being compliant?
All digital content and services must be compliant by April 24, 2026.
Who is responsible for ensuring digital accessibility?
Accessibility is a shared responsibility. All faculty, staff, and instructors who create or manage digital content must ensure that their materials meet accessibility standards. The COM accessibility liaisons and UIC IT Accessibility provide training and support, but the responsibility remains with the content owner.
Whether you’re creating course materials, updating a webpage, sending out a newsletter, or designing a document, accessibility should always be a priority.
What types of content need to be accessible?
Any content that is shared with students, faculty, staff, or the public, must be accessible. This applies to all materials, including but not limited to:
- Webpages on College of Medicine websites (including lab websites)
- Documents (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
- Multimedia (videos, recordings, webinars)
- Images and graphics (must include alt text)
- Forms and surveys (Qualtrics, Google forms, etc.)
- Apps and software platforms
- Mass email communications (Listserv, Emma, etc.)
- Social media content
Do archived documents need to be remediated?
Archived or historical content may remain online if it was created before the compliance deadline, clearly labeled as archived, stored in a designated archive area, and has not been modified since being archived. However, if someone requests access, an accessible version must be provided.
- If the document is updated after being archived, it must be remediated for accessibility.
- Pre-existing documents created before the compliance deadline that are not used to apply for, access, or participate in university programs may remain archived until requested.
- Third-party content (created outside the university) and social media posts made before the compliance deadline are also exempt, unless specifically requested.
We recommend removing or archiving old, unused PDFs instead of keeping large, inactive repositories online, as analytics show little to no engagement with this type of content.
My content is in BOX behind a password, does it still need to be accessible?
It doesn’t matter where digital content is stored (Box, website, etc.). It must be accessible even if it’s password-protected.
A password-protected document may be exempt only if all of these conditions are met:
- The file type is a word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet document, AND
- The content is about a specific person, property, or account, AND
- The document is password-protected or otherwise secured.
What about recordings?
All recordings posted online must include captions and a transcript. Auto-captions are a starting point but must be reviewed and corrected for accuracy. If captions or transcripts are not available, the recording cannot be posted.
If you store Zoom recordings in Box, be sure to include the transcript in the same folder and share the folder link instead of linking only to the recording.
Resources for content creators
Software resources
Accessibility checklists
Need help creating accessible content?
If you are a content creator and need assistance with accessibility, please reach out to our accessibility liaisons:
- General Questions: Tom Wyatt – tomwyatt@uic.edu
- Website, Documents Accessibility: Anitha Paruchuri – anithap@uic.edu
- Video Captioning & Conferencing: Charity Caldwell – charity@uic.edu
- Coursework Accessibility: Cheryl McKearin – hitosis@uic.edu
- Faculty Support: Kristi L. Kirschner – kkirschn@uic.edu, Jennifer Duffecy – jduffecy@uic.edu
Feel free to reach out with any questions or for guidance on making your content accessible. You can also reach out to the UIC Accessibility team during their office hours for any questions.
Website accessibility statement
We are committed to maintaining a website that is accessible and in alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Levels A and AA. As these guidelines evolve under the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), we will continue to update and improve our site to enhance accessibility.
While we strive for full compliance, we recognize that some areas of the website may not function perfectly for all users. We conduct regular accessibility reviews and work to address any identified issues. Our efforts to improve accessibility are ongoing.
If you experience any difficulty using College of Medicine websites or encounter an accessibility issue with a specific page or feature on our websites, please contact us using the form below. Include details about the web page URL and any additional information that may help us locate and resolve the issue. We will make every effort to improve accessibility, and if a page cannot be made fully accessible, we will provide an alternative text-based version upon request.
Your feedback helps us create a more inclusive experience for all users.