CAS OPERATIONS
Services Model
Communications
Audience: College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) content contributors managing sites on the University of Delaware’s sites.udel.edu platform or providing content to CAS Communications for Adobe Experience Manager (AEM).
Purpose: To clarify essential content practices that ensure accuracy, accessibility, and institutional alignment
You Play a Key Role in Upholding UD and CAS Web Standards
As a content contributor for a CAS-affiliated website, you are responsible for adhering to both University of Delaware web policies and CAS Communications standards. These guidelines are designed not to restrict your creativity, but to help you publish content that is accurate, accessible, legally compliant, and consistent with our university’s brand.
We’re here to support you, our goal is to work with you to ensure your content meets the highest standards.
Required Practices for All Content Contributors
1. Ensure Digital Accessibility
Digital accessibility isn’t just best practice, it’s a legal requirement (per Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). Ensuring your site is accessible means everyone, including users with disabilities, can engage with your content.
To comply:
- Do not upload flyers as images
Flyers are not readable by screen readers and often contain text that cannot be interpreted by assistive technology.
- Do not place important text inside images
Instead, include all essential text directly in the post or page itself.
- Always include alt text for images
Alternative text (alt text) is required for every image and should accurately describe its content or purpose.
How to Add Alt Text in WordPress
When uploading an image:
- Click “Add Media” in the WordPress editor.
- Upload or select your image.
- Fill in the Alt Text field on the right-hand side.
- Example: “Students walking on the UD Green”
- Click “Insert into post.”
Only leave alt text blank if the image is strictly decorative.
2. Do Not Duplicate Content from the Course Catalog
To avoid legal and institutional conflicts, content from the UD Course Catalog must not be copied or rewritten on your site. This policy comes directly from the Registrar’s Office and UD Legal Counsel.
Instead:
3. Always Link to Official Admissions and Student Service Pages
For content related to admissions, financial aid, or student services, always refer users to official UD pages. These pages are regularly updated by the university and ensure visitors receive timely and accurate information.
Recommended links:
Do not attempt to recreate or summarize this content on your site, linking is the best way to ensure accuracy and reduce redundancy.
A Note on Compliance and Visibility
The CAS Communications Team is committed to elevating your content, but we can only promote or link to sites that follow these core standards. If your site contains inaccessible content, duplicated course listings, or outdated admissions language, we will be unable to feature it in official CAS channels.
We truly value your work and want to help you succeed. If you’re unsure about any content or would like support developing your pages, please reach out before publishing.
Contact us via the CAS Communications Work Request Form.
Let’s Work Together
Together, we can create high-quality, inclusive, and reliable websites that reflect the excellence of the College of Arts & Sciences and the University of Delaware. Thank you for helping us maintain the standards that serve our community best.