How to open the Silktide extension tool for testing Overview Silktide is a powerful tool used at VCSU to improve website and content accessibility by providing efficient testing, website analytics, and reporting. Silktide's extension tool enables quick webpage assessments and offers simple solutions to improve accessibility scores. Testing a page with Silktide extension Start by clicking on the Silktide icon in your extension menu. Clicking the icon in the toolbar will open or close a separate icon on the right side of your screen, click on this icon to test the current page. The Silktide accessibility tools menu will appear and show the extension accessibility tools available to use:

Silktide Alt Text Overview Alternative text (or alt text), is an embedded description of what is in the images. Alt text is important because it helps people who cannot see them understand what the visuals are showing or adding to the content. Alt text is usually read by screen readers, not by sighted readers. Here’s why it matters: For people using screen readers: Screen readers do not describe images – they read out the alt text. The alt text gives it the words to say about what the image shows. Alt text explains visually presented information: If an image helps explain something, like a chart with data or a process diagram, the alt text should describe it. This way, people who cannot see the image still understand what it’s showing. Silktide extension alt text tool To check for alt text within an article using the Silktide extension, follow the steps listed below: Note: if you do not have the Silktide extension downloaded, click here for instructions on downloading. Open the desired page to test, then select Silktide's side tab to test. Note: If you need further instruction on this step, click here to learn how to open the extension tool. Open the Alt text tool in the menu. This will activate the tool. Silktide will now show where there are images placed on that page, and what their alt text status is. View the example below: In the example, it has flagged the image of the Google logo as "Missing" This means that Alt text should be added to this image. If you are unfamiliar with adding alt text to images in one stop, follow this link to view a quick tutorial.

How to download the Silktide's free extension tool (Mac/HP Chrome) Navigate to Silktide's official website. Click here to open the Silktide website. Once you have reached the website, select the installation link provided by Silktide. This will take you to the Chrome Store. Select Add to Chrome > add extension Navigate to the browsers Extensions tab, at this point Silktide Accessibility Checker should show in your extensions. If you wish to pin this extension to your toolbar, select the ellipses for the Silktide extension > manage extension > pin to toolbar Silktide should now appear in your extension toolbar and is ready to use at any time.

Silktide Headings Tool Overview Headings help everyone, including people using screen readers or other assistive tools, to understand and navigate a document more easily. Why headings matter Headings keep things organized Headings make reading easier Headings make skimming easy Headings are shortcuts for screen reader users Using the Silktide extension headings tool To check headings within an article using the Silktide extension, follow the steps listed below: Note: if you do not have the Silktide extension downloaded, click here for instructions on downloading. Open the desired page to test, then select Silktide's side tab to test. Note: If you need further instruction on this step, click here to learn how to open the extension tool. Open the Headings tool in the menu. This will activate the tool. Silktide will now show where each heading is located in the article. View the example below: Steps to improve heading accessibility Make headings clear: Write short headings that tell people about the section. Don’t fake it: making text bigger and bold doesn’t count! Use the built-in heading options for best accessibility practices. Structure your document: Use Heading 1 for main sections, Heading 2 for subsections, and Heading 3 for smaller divisions. Maintain consistency: Avoid skipping levels (e.g., do not jump from Heading 1 to Heading 3). Use headings for tables of contents: Headings can automatically create a Table of Contents. Additional heading resources: Click here for a guide to using built in headings

Silktide Color Contrast Tool Overview Color contrast is about how easy it is to tell the difference between the color of text and the background behind it. Why color contrast matters It helps everyone read easily. Good color contrast makes it easier for readers to see what’s written—especially people who might not see colors the same way or have difficulties with their vision. It keeps readers comfortable. Poor contrast makes you work harder, and that can get tiring. With good contrast, reading feels smoother and more comfortable. Using the Silktide extension color contrast tool To check headings within an article using the Silktide extension, follow the steps listed below: Note: if you do not have the Silktide extension downloaded, click here for instructions on downloading. Open the desired page to test, then select Silktide's side tab to test. Note: If you need further instruction on this step, click here to learn how to open the extension tool. Open the color contrast tool in the menu. This will activate the tool. If you are using proper colors for text and background, it should pass the inspection. How can I manually test foreground and background color? To test font color, select Foreground. This will activate a pixel view magnifier that you can move around the page. In the example below, a letter is being magnified that shows a black font color. Once the magnifier is hovered over the desired area, click to select the color. One a color is selected, the foreground button will change to the color selected. Next, choose the background color you wish to test using the same procedure. Select the Background box > hover over the page color > click to select the area to be tested. In this example, the colors have passed Silktide's color contrast test: Example of a failed test In the scenario below, the foreground and background color contrast do not meet WCAG requirements which results in a fail status from Silktide: Steps to improve accessibility with color contrast Use strong contrast, like dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background. Black on white works well. Pale gray or yellow on white does not. Think about colorblindness: Some people can’t tell red from green or blue from yellow. Don’t use color combinations that could be difficult to tell apart. Test It: If you squint at the page, and the text disappears, your contrast is not good enough.