Guidance to help understand our shared role of inclusivity through accessibility, and how to make that happen at UW-Madison.
Understanding accessibility
What is a disability?
Disability is a critical aspect of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Individuals with disabilities comprise the largest underserved community in the world.
Why is accessibility important?
According to the CDC, 70 million, or 1-in-4 adults in the United States, live with a disability.
Accessibility vs. accommodation
The difference between accessibility and accommodation is in how we plan to include people in the experiences we provide them at UW-Madison.
What are adaptive technologies?
These are devices, equipment, products, and services that are used to help people with disabilities access UW-Madison’s physical and digital ecosystem. They work best when they are paired with content and materials that are created using accessible design best practices.
Digital accessibility
Fundamentals
What is digital accessibility and how to design accessible content.
Accessible content
Make accessible websites, images, videos, documents, emails and more.
More digital accessibility
Course content, procuring accessible technology and accessibility evaluations.
Accessible events
Accessibility is a shared responsibility of everyone at the university. Event planners have an opportunity to review their event goals and determine how they can ensure participants can participate in an inclusive manner.
Use our guide to help you create your next event with accessibility in mind.
“What about reasonable accommodations?”
Disability laws require providing reasonable accommodations to disabled program participants to ensure equal access. Inclusive design reduces the need for reasonable accommodations.
Physical accessibility
Accessible facilities
Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) Accessible building locations and entrances
Elevators and accessible classrooms
Emergency planning
Other campus building accessibility information
Transportation and getting around
Transit, parking, maps and routes
Road closures, construction, and snow removal
Wheelchair loans
UW–Madison offers several wheelchair loan programs for use at the university. Several local organizations also have rentals available.
Disability and medical leave
Resources for UW employees experiencing difficulties at work related to a disability or chronic medical condition, such as:
- Serious health conditions that may require medical leave.
- Returning to work with restrictions following a workplace injury or medical leave.
- A disability that limits your ability to perform parts of your job.
Assistance and service animals
Assistance animals are service animals and emotional support animals, and they fulfill important roles for people with disabilities. This guide assists with enforcing the university’s policies regarding animals while protecting the rights of disabled individuals.
Inclusive writing
Writing about people with disabilities in a way that is inclusive, empathetic, compassionate, and respectful is important. In general, be mindful to describe only relevant characteristics, and consider whether including the information is necessary to the copy. Be aware that terminology in this area is constantly evolving.
“Make It Accessible” writing content guide
Additional resources to communicate inclusively
- Disability Language Style Guide from the National Center on Disability and Journalism
- Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities (ADA National Network)
- APA Style: Disability – Bias-Free Language (American Psychological Association)
- Words Matter: Reporting on Mental Health Conditions (American Psychiatric Association)