Accessibility Tip: Myth vs. Truth: Separating Fact from Fiction
Accessibility is an ongoing journey, and along the way it’s easy to encounter misunderstandings or outdated information. Let’s take a look at a few common accessibility myths and the truth behind them.
Myth #1
Myth: Individual faculty members can be personally sued if their course materials are not accessible.
Truth: Accessibility is an institutional responsibility. While faculty and staff play an important role in creating accessible content, legal obligations generally apply to the institution, not individual employees acting within the scope of their employment. Everyone shares responsibility for accessibility, but no one should avoid the work out of fear of personal lawsuits.
Myth #2
Myth: Accessibility only benefits people with disabilities.
Truth: Accessibility improves usability for everyone. Captions help people in noisy environments, clear headings improve navigation, and accessible documents are often easier for all users to read and understand.
Myth #3
Myth: Accessibility means making everything perfect.
Truth: Accessibility is an ongoing process of improvement. The goal is to continually identify and remove barriers, not to achieve perfection overnight.
Accessibility Tip is a series from the Digital Accessibility group, a subcommittee of the University Technology Committee, sharing practical ways to improve digital accessibility and create more inclusive online experiences at Minnesota State Moorhead.