Siteimprove
Website Accessibility Scanning at UM-Flint
At the University of Michigan-Flint, we are committed to creating a digital experience that is accessible to everyone. One of the ways we support this work is through ongoing website accessibility scanning.
We use a university-supported tool called Siteimprove to help monitor, identify, and improve accessibility across our websites. This tool is part of a broader effort across the University of Michigan to ensure our digital content meets accessibility standards and provides an inclusive experience for all users.
What is Accessibility Scanning?
Accessibility scanning is an automated process that reviews websites to identify potential barriers for people with disabilities. This includes barriers such as missing alternative text for images, unclear link text, or structural issues that may impact navigation for screen reader or keyboard users.
Rather than relying only on manual review, scanning allows us to regularly check our sites and catch issues more efficiently.
How Siteimprove Helps
Siteimprove provides insight into how our websites are performing and where improvements can be made. It helps us:
- Identify accessibility issues and prioritize fixes
- Monitor progress over time through dashboards and reports
- Improve overall content quality, including broken links and readability
- Support alignment with university accessibility standards
These insights allow our teams to take a more proactive approach to accessibility by addressing issues early and continuously improving the user experience.
Departmental Reports and Support
In addition to campus-wide scanning, we provide accessibility reports for departmental public websites. These reports offer a high-level view of accessibility performance along with actionable insights to help guide improvements.
If you’re interested in receiving a report for your site or have questions about accessibility scanning, please reach out to Krystal Tosch at ktosch@umich.edu.
A Continuous Effort
Accessibility is not a one-time project. Website scanning is just one part of an ongoing process that includes design, content creation, and regular review.
By using tools like Siteimprove, UM-Flint is able to better understand where barriers exist and take meaningful steps toward removing them, helping ensure our digital spaces are usable, inclusive, and welcoming for all.