Authoring tools used to create digital materials on behalf of the University should conform to Authoring Tools Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0, published by the World Wide Web Consortium. These guidelines address two aspects of authoring tool accessibility and use:

Make the Authoring Tool Accessible

Authoring tools are to be accessible to all developers, content providers, editors, and other authors, including authors with disabilities and authors who use assistive technologies. This need is addressed per University of Iowa IT Accessibility policy that technologies used to conduct University business be accessible to all eligible users.

Guidelines for making authoring tools accessible can be found in ATAG 2.0, Part A, "Make the Authoring Tool Accessible".

Support the Production of Accessible Content

Authoring tools should enable and support all authors--not only authors with disabilities--in the creation, customization, publication, and maintenance of accessible content. Accessibility features should be tightly integrated with other authoring features, and authoring processes and practices should enable and encourage authors in creating accessible content. Content that is produced automatically by the authoring tool should also be accessible.

Guidelines for supporting the production of accessible content can be found in ATAG 2.0, Part B: "Support the production of Accessible Content".