Accessibility at University of Michigan Press

How Fulcrum Moves Beyond Compliance

By: Kelsey Mrjoian | Date: February 5, 2025 | Tags: Accessibility, Fulcrum, open access

At Fulcrum, the digital platform that hosts University of Michigan Press titles, accessibility is a foundational principle. Fulcrum is designed to support readers of all abilities by providing an inclusive platform where high-quality scholarship thrives without barriers. This month, we’re proud to highlight our ongoing efforts to ensure that those with vision impairments can access the resources they need.

Did you know February is Low Vision Awareness Month? This time is dedicated to acknowledging visual impairments that standard glasses, contact lenses, medications, or surgeries cannot correct. Millions of people worldwide live with low vision, facing challenges in daily activities such as navigating their surroundings, cooking, and reading.

From the beginning, we have focused on building Fulcrum to meet the diverse needs of our audience, including those with low vision. Here are some of the ways we’re making this possible:

Commitment to WCAG Standards: Fulcrum aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2 AA), ensuring equitable access to all users.
Enhanced Navigation and Readability: Features like scalable text, adjustable contrast settings, and keyboard navigation make it easier for individuals with low vision to explore and engage with our content.
Support for Assistive Technologies: Fulcrum integrates seamlessly with screen readers and other assistive devices, ensuring every user can access resources in a way that suits them.
Accessible Multimedia: We provide detailed descriptions, captions, and transcripts for multimedia materials, allowing users with low vision to engage with time-based media equitably.

Accessibility isn’t just about meeting standards; it’s about making an actual difference in people’s lives. Through connecting with Fulcrum readers, we’ve heard stories from users who’ve benefited from its accessible design. A visually impaired researcher, for instance, shared how scalable text and screen reader compatibility allowed them to deeply engage with academic resources. This testimonial and many others remind us why we’re committed to this work and inspire us to continue pushing accessibility boundaries.

At the University of Michigan Press, we constantly seek new ways to improve Fulcrum and make our content more inclusive. Whether through technological innovation, born-accessible publishing workflows, user feedback, or collaboration with accessibility experts, we’re committed to ensuring everyone benefits from our resources.