---
title: "Achieving Digital Accessibility on Domain of One’s Own and Sites@UMW "
description: "If your website is used to share information related to **UMW’s services, programs, teaching, or public activities**, it must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA **by April 24, 2026.**This page provides a framework to help you…"
url: "https://dev.umw.domains/guides/achieving-digital-accessibility-on-dooo-and-sitesumw/"
updated: "2025-10-14"
category: Additional Resources
---

# Achieving Digital Accessibility on Domain of One’s Own and Sites@UMW 

If your website is used to share information related to **UMW’s services, programs, teaching, or public activities**, it must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA **by April 24, 2026.**This page provides a framework to help you reach compliance. 

## Step 1: Clear Out What You Don’t Need 

Go through your site and remove pages and files that are outdated or no longer accurate. 

**Why this helps:** Fewer pages mean less work. By removing unused content, you cut down the number of items that need to be checked and fixed. 

### Domain of One’s Own 

- If an entire site isn’t needed, you can [uninstall it from your Domain of One’s Own dashboard](https://dev.umw.domains/guides/uninstalling-wordpress/). 
- To fully close your Domain of One’s Own account, [reach out to us](https://dev.umw.domains/get-support/). 

### Sites@UMW 

- If an entire site isn’t needed, you can [delete the site](https://dev.umw.domains/guides/deleting-your-sitesumw-site/) or you can [contact us](https://dev.umw.domains/get-support/) if you need assistance with this step.

## Step 2: Decide What’s Important 

Make a list of: 

- Sites you still use for teaching, research, or department activities. 
  - On identified sites make a list of pages and files still needed. 
- Content you regularly share with students, colleagues, or the public. 

Start with your highest-use content like syllabi, program information, or student-facing resources. Making those pages accessible first has the biggest impact. 

## Step 3: Check for Accessibility Problems 

Use an accessibility tool to scan your site for common issues. These might include: 

- Missing **alt text** for images. 
- Text and background colors that don’t have enough **contrast**. 
- Headings that are out of order or skipped. 

If you are new to digital accessibility concepts we recommend reading our [Accessible Web Design guide](https://dev.umw.domains/guides/accessibility/), which explains the basics and shows how they apply in WordPress. 

### Domain of One’s Own 

Tools and resources we recommend: 

- **Accessibility Checkers**: We have a [list of WordPress accessibility plugins as well as external website checkers](https://dev.umw.domains/guides/accessibility/#evaluate-your-site-) that can help you identify issues in need of remediation on your site. 
- **Documents (Word, PowerPoint, PDFs):** Use Microsoft Office’s built-in accessibility checkers.  
- **["Accessibility Ready" themes in WordPress](https://umhttps://dev.umw.domains/guides/accessibility/#themes)**. WordPress makes it possible to find themes they deem "accessibility ready". These themes do not necessarily meet WCAG standards but have healthy defaults.

### Sites@UMW 

- **Accessibility Checkers:** By default sites on Sites@UMW should have Editoria11y accessibility checker activated.  
- **Documents (Word, PowerPoint, PDFs):** Use Microsoft Office’s built-in accessibility checkers. 

## Step 4: Get Support 

We’re here to support you in using Domain of One’s Own and Sites@UMW. Support options include: 

- [**Web accessibility consultations**](https://outlook.office.com/book/AccessibilityConsultations@mail.umw.edu/s/Sc5EDlm4PUWFJFnOOrJSJg2?ismsaljsauthenabled) to help you review and remediate your site. 
- **Accessibility question support** by submitting questions to the Title II Accessibility e-mail, **t2access@umw.edu**. 
- [**Accessible Web Design guide**](https://dev.umw.domains/guides/accessibility/) for guidance on how to remediate your website to meet compliance.

*Created by Shannon Hauser 10/14/25*