Winthrop University: Web Services - Accessibility Initiative
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Contact Information
Web Services
200 Tillman Hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733
803/323-2236
803/328-2855 (Fax)
rayj@winthrop.edu

Browsers   Colors   Fonts   Images   Plug-Ins   Mac Users   Office of Accessibility

Accessibility Initiative

"The power of the web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." ~ Tim Berners Lee

Go to the Section 508 Tutorials for Web authors.

Disclaimer

Winthrop University has attempted to make its Web site accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have any difficulty viewing a page with adaptive technology, please send an e-mail to accessibility@winthrop.edu. Be sure to include the type of problem encountered and the Web address of the page you were attempting to access. Information or material requested will be provided in an alternative format.

Browsers

 Note: Internet Explorer 11, Edge, or higher browser version is the recommended Web browser for the best access to Winthrop's online services. Although IE is not the only browser that offers accessibility solutions, the following guidelines for making Winthrop's Web site more accessible are based on Internet Explorer procedures.

Winthrop University Web authors are encouraged to perform cross browser testing prior to launching pages.

Internet Browser Icons

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Colors

Many individuals require high contrast between text and background colors in order to see a page's content. If you are an IE user, you can set a customized color palette for a Web page by following these simple steps:

  1. Open the "Tools" menu (Alt+T).
  2. Choose "Internet Options" (O).
  3. Select the "General" tab.
  4. Click the "Colors" button at the bottom left of the box.
  5. Set text, background, and links colors to suit your needs.

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Fonts

If a Web page is written to allow for scaling of fonts, most Web browsers allow the user to alter font size and style. The following are steps IE users can take to change font sizes or styles to meet their individual needs:

fonts 
Size
  1. Click the "View" menu (Alt+V)
  2. Choose "Text Size" (X).
  3. Select a font size from "Largest" to "Smallest."
 Style
  1. Open the "Tools" menu (Alt+T).
  2. Choose "Internet Options" (O).
  3. Select the "General" tab.
  4. Click on "Fonts" and choose an alternative font style.

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Images

There may be times when Web visitors wish to turn off images for quicker page download or for some other reason. To view Winthrop's site without displaying images, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:

  1. Open the "Tools" menu (Alt+T).
  2. Choose "Internet Options" (O).
  3. Select the "Advanced" tab at the top right of the dialog box.
  4. Scroll down to the "Multimedia" section.
  5. Unclick the box next to "Show Pictures."
  6. Click the "Apply" button and then click the "OK" button.

ALT Tags

For the benefit of those who surf with images turned off and for those who use screen readers, Winthrop Web authors strive to provide ALT tags for images. The purpose of ALT tags is to provide a short, text alternative for images significant to a site. Insignificant images like space holders do not need ALT tag text but simply double quotations marks that will prompt a screen reader to skip that particular graphic. For example, <IMG src="images/spacer.gif" alt="">.

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Plug-Ins

Some information on Winthrop's Web site requires the use of plug-ins. A plug-in is "an auxiliary program that works with a major software package to enhance its capability" (Source: Answers.com). A FREE version of these plug-ins can be downloaded from the Internet. (Note: Clicking on the links below will open the download site in a separate browser window.)

Some of the plug-ins that might be required to access information on various pages include:

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Macintosh Users

For full instructions on making use of the various versions of the Macintosh operating system's accessibility features, including resizing text, text-to-speech function, and keyboard alternatives to mouse functions, visit the Apple Web site's section on disability.

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Office of Accessibility

Winthrop's Office of Accessibility (OA) helps to create an accessible campus community where students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate fully in their educational experience. For more information on what services are available and how to request services offered, visit the Office of Accessibility.

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Last Updated: 1/7/20