# Digital Accessibility
**Source**: https://digitalaccessibility.caltech.edu/
**Parent**: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/
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Caltech strives to become an example of how a diverse and inclusive community, committed to equity, permits individuals to thrive in fulfilling the Institute's mission of forefront research and education.
The Institute is committed to making its electronic content accessible to its students, faculty, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and all other individuals with and without disabilities.
Caltech's digital content and platforms that provide programs, services, and activities must conform with The World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines [(WCAG) 2.1, Level AA](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/) (or the latest version of WCAG), or otherwise be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
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## What Accessibility Means
"Accessibility" means that all people, including those with disabilities, can acquire information, engage in interactions, and enjoy services in an equal and integrated manner.
Digital resources include any hardware, software, product, content, or application being created, utilized, or stored. This includes, but is not limited to, web sites and web applications, software and operating systems, mobile apps, online course materials, digital signage and kiosks, and digital content including animations, audio, video, images, and electronic documents.
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## Digital Accessibility Policy
It is [Caltech's Policy](https://hr.caltech.edu/resources/notices-administrative-guidelines/digital-accessibility) to ensure that its digital content and platforms are equally accessible to students, faculty, staff, and all individuals with disabilities.
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## Reporting Accessibility Concerns and Questions
If you cannot access content or use features on any Caltech website or application due to a disability, please [report your issue or concern](https://caltechforms.wufoo.com/forms/report-a-web-accessibility-concern/).
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## Resources for the Caltech Community
### Caltech Sites Web Publishing Solution
[Caltech Sites](https://sites.caltech.edu/) is a free web publishing solution supported by IMSS that allows departments, labs, clubs, faculty, and others to easily build websites based on an existing template that is designed in accordance with Caltech's accessibility standards.
### **Digital Accessibility Training**
Anyone who creates or manages digital content on behalf of the Institute is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the principles of accessibility through a custom training module available in the [MyLearn](http://caltech.learn.taleo.net/) Course Catalog (Access Caltech credentials required).
### Guidelines for Creating Accessible Web Content
When uploading or editing content, website editors should follow our [Guidelines for Creating Accessible Content](https://digitalaccessibility.caltech.edu/accessibility-guidelines-for-content-creators).
### Web Accessibility Scanning Tools
WAVE is a free tool that can be [used online](https://wave.webaim.org/) or [downloaded as a web browser extension](https://wave.webaim.org/extension/) to check pages for Web Accessibility Errors.
Caltech has procured [PopeTech](https://pope.tech/) powered by WAVE as a compliance platform to support and achieve our web accessibility goals. For questions regarding web accessibility scanning tools, please contact [[email protected]](https://digitalaccessibility.caltech.edu/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#57333e303e23363b3634343224243e353e3b3e232e1734363b2332343f79323322)**.**
### Creating Accessible Documents
Caltech has partnered with [WebAIM](https://webaim.org/) for an independent, video-based online course. [Accessible Documents: Word, PowerPoint, & Acrobat](https://webaim.org/training/docs/) is delivered through the Canvas learning management system. The course is available 24/7. This training features 39 learning activities with an average video length of five minutes and takes approximately 8 hours in total to complete.
Email [[email protected]](https://digitalaccessibility.caltech.edu/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0a4a9a7a9b4a1aca1a3a3a5b3b3a9a2a9aca9b4b980a3a1acb4a5a3a8eea5a4b5) to request access to the course.
#### **Microsoft Office Resources**
- [Microsoft Word Accessibility](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-d9bf3683-87ac-47ea-b91a-78dcacb3c66d)
- [Microsoft Excel Accessibility](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-your-excel-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-6cc05fc5-1314-48b5-8eb3-683e49b3e593)
- [Microsoft PowerPoint Accessibility](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-6f7772b2-2f33-4bd2-8ca7-dae3b2b3ef25)
- [Adobe – Create and Verify PDF Accessibility](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html)
### Canvas: Caltech's Online Learning Management System
- [Accessibility tools in Canvas](https://canvas.caltech.edu/canvas-resources/accessibility)
- [Accessibility tips for assistive technology users](https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2061)
- [List of keyboard shortcuts in Canvas](https://s3.amazonaws.com/tr-learncanvas/docs/canvas_keyboard_shortcuts.pdf)
### **Hiring Website/Software Vendors**
- Caltech Procurement Terms & Conditions – [Section 32: Digital Accessibility Requirements](https://procurement.caltech.edu/documents/7320/commercialitemsorservices.pdf)
- Sample Contract Language for ADA Web Accessibility Vendors – [VPAT Language](https://caltech.box.com/s/5gh0eut6j7a8lu273vv2996v0o785kku) with Request for Proposals