LOGOS

A Journal of Undergraduate Research

How to Make a Website Accessible

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Content is uploaded online every second of every day. This content is then consumed by a diverse group of users around the world. With more and more information becoming available online, it is important that content creators make their material accessible to everyone. Not everyone accesses the internet in the same way; therefore, we must be vigilant in making sure the content we create is available to all. People who can not receive media in certain formats need to be able to obtain this information in an alternative way. This blog post walks you through the basic principles your content should meet.

What are the 4 main principles of web content accessibility? 

According to the Web Accessibility Initiative, there are four standards content must meet to fulfill their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. 

These principles are: 

  1. Perceivable
  2. Operable
  3. Understandable
  4. Robust

How do I make sure my content is perceivable?

To ensure that content is perceivable, users with a wide range of abilities must be able to receive the information that is being provided. This means that all non-text content, such as photographs, needs to include a written description. This is incredibly important for users who can only take in information on websites by using read-aloud apps to speak the words on the page. Without an alternative caption for items such as photographs and videos, certain users will not know that this additional content exists at all. Images should have written descriptions, unless purely for decoration, and videos should have closed captions. 

It is also vital that information is presented in a color and size that are readable. For example, some people have vision problems that make it difficult to read. To ensure that your content is available to those with poor eyesight, use a dark type color on a light background with a font size that is not too small.

How do I make my website operable?

Websites are operable when users are able to effectively use all features on whatever device they have available to them. Not everyone has the same access to technological devices, so it is necessary to ensure that a website displays the same content on a wide range of technology. Content should not be created with only one device in mind. Test out your material on a variety of devices to ensure that nothing vital changes.

How do I make my website understandable?

To make your website understandable, consider the different backgrounds of your audience members. Avoid using complicated words and jargon that only a specific group would understand. You do not want to confuse readers with wordiness and complicated sentence structure. It is also important to ensure that the layout of your content is easy to follow. Do not distract users with a difficult-to-navigate website. For example, make your headings appear in the same place so that your readers do not get distracted and confused by varying placements. Lastly, make buttons clear and concise. Users should be able to know exactly what will happen when they click on one. 

How do I make my website robust? 

Technology advances by the day, and it is vital that you keep your website content up-to-date with the newest mechanics. As phones and computers continue to develop in new shapes and sizes, be sure to test that your content’s layout is not significantly different across these new devices. You do not want some of your readers to miss out on your site simply because they have a particular device.

Conclusion

Website developers and content creators online should always strive to meet these four principles that the Web Accessibility Initiative laid out. Making your website perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust ensures that users with differing means of access will be able to reach and easily comprehend your content. Learning these principles is just the beginning; be sure to include them in your next website post!

Women’s History Month: Meet Shannon Wick

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As a continuation of Women’s History Month, we interviewed Shannon Wick, a former Managing Editor of LOGOS: A Journal of Undergraduate Research and a published author in our ninth and twelfth volumes. We asked her questions about her time at LOGOS, her post-graduation life, and her published work. Wick’s pieces “Self-Portrait of a Costume” and “Hiding” were featured in our twelfth volume and each work explores how it can be difficult to offer full visuals of our faces to the public, especially in the era of flawless photos being uploaded to the internet every millisecond.

A charcoal drawing of a close-up of Wick's ear.
“Hiding,” a charcoal drawing by Shannon Wick featured in our twelfth volume.

Why did you decide to submit your work to LOGOS?

I was in my final year as the Managing Editor of LOGOS, so I decided to submit what I thought was my best artwork from my undergraduate. I’ve submitted multiple times to LOGOS, having poetry published in volume 9 as well. I hadn’t produced much from my major courses, as is the nature of technical writing, so I wanted to try with work from my minor courses.

What has being published in LOGOS done for you?

It’s definitely a good resume line, especially on my LinkedIn profile. I feel like it gave me some credit as the Managing Editor, but it also helped give me credit when I submitted my creative writing to other literary journals. Those details are always included in the bios, so it was nice that I already had something to add there.

What are you doing post-graduation?

Post-graduation I am working as a Technical Writer for Cerner in Kansas City, Missouri. Cerner is a global health care IT company. Working here has helped me see the possibilities as a technical writer in the software/tech industry.

In a world full of flawless pictures uploaded online, it’s difficult to feel as if we’ve achieved that kind of perfection when taking our own photos. What would you say to someone that is struggling with self-esteem issues due to this?

I would encourage them to look at flawless photos from an artist/critique point of view, I suppose. If you draw enough faces, you know that no one is symmetrical and without its uniqueness. In fact, you learn by trying to draw it that way first, and then you realize that it doesn’t match the picture at all. Also, I would encourage people to be aware of the editing tools available for free and take any “perfect” image or selfie with a grain of salt. You’ll be happier if you come to terms with your own appearance sooner rather than later. Everything comes down to your own perspective and perception, and you influence that more than anyone else.

Who is one woman you look up to? Why?

This question, and the previous ones, make me think of a woman I follow on Instagram, Sara Puhto (@saggysara). She shares a lot of body-positivity posts and a lot of reality v. Instagram content. I thought about mentioning someone famous here, but she has helped me a lot over the years in this area. I think it takes courage to share her vulnerabilities online to help others.

Women’s History Month: Meet Paige Nicewaner

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To kick off Women’s History Month, we interviewed one of our very own members who has overcome barriers and is a fierce advocate for human rights; meet Paige Nicewaner. Nicewaner is a junior at Missouri State University studying Socio-Political Communication. She is an Associate Editor for LOGOS and also writes opinion pieces for The Standard Newspaper. In her writing, she often focuses on societal issues that plague oppressed groups of people, including women. In this interview, Nicewaner answers tough questions on her experiences as a woman and gives insight into what has motivated her through difficult situations. 

Why did you join LOGOS?

I joined LOGOS because it seemed like a great opportunity to get more involved with the Honors college and learn more about the research MSU students were working on outside of my own field.

Tell me about some of your writing with topics that center on social issues.

Since high school, I’ve always been really passionate about social justice and politics, and The Standard gives me an outlet to express those interests. I’ve written about topics surrounding gender, race, class, and privilege and try to connect these issues to MSU students and give them a reason to care. One of my favorite stories I’ve written recently focuses on the term, “girl boss” and its popularity amongst young feminists. With the pandemic going on, many complex and systemic issues have been brought to light, so I think it’s important to bring awareness to these issues that have been happening for a long time, and that’s what I try to do in my writing.

Is there a particular woman that you look up to?

The first person that comes to mind is my mom. She’s outspoken and unabashedly herself. As a schoolteacher, there have been many times she has stood up to other teachers or the administration about decisions she didn’t think were right or just. She cares a lot about people, but never lets anyone drag her down or take advantage of her time and work. She pushes to make sure her efforts are recognized, and I really admire that about her. 

Have you ever experienced sexism in academia? How did you move forward? 

There have definitely been times where I’ve felt like my voice as a woman has not been respected or appreciated, unlike my male peers in the classroom. If I’m in a class or small group with mostly men, I’m often interrupted, and it’s much harder to make sure my opinion is taken into consideration. Banding together with other women and sharing our experiences helps me move forward and be more vocal to ensure my opinions are better recognized. After realizing that my work is just as impressive, if not more impressive than men in my field, I’ve been able to overcome some of the doubts people have of me as a woman.

Were you ever made to believe you couldn’t do something because you’re a woman?

People, namely men, typically question and doubt my ideas as a woman more so than they do with other men. It is assumed that women are not as smart as men, so for a long time, I thought my work would never be as good. After so many times of being talked down to and patronized, you begin to doubt your own abilities as well. After a long time, I finally realized that my work is important and impressive and should be recognized as such.

What advice would you give young women in academia?

As a young woman in academia, you’re bound to come across biased people who doubt your abilities before even giving you the chance to showcase them, especially for women of color. People are going to try and adopt your ideas as their own. Don’t wait for recognition to come; take credit for your work and stand up for yourself. You’re going to face scrutiny, some of which will probably come from yourself. Protect your mental health and give yourself a break sometimes.

Do you have any advice on how to deal with stress?

In order to deal with stress, I like to talk to my friends, who are really great at making me feel calmer if I am anxious about something. The pandemic has definitely made me more stressed out, so I try to find creative outlets to distract myself. I love painting, cooking, and writing; all of those things have been greatly helpful to my mental health while living in COVID times. It can be difficult to manage stress on your own, so I absolutely encourage people to seek professional help if they have the means to do so.