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GitHub Technology Accommodations

This page summarizes accessibility support and accommodation considerations for GitHub in the capstone course. The sections below are also organized so the same information can be reused for university accessibility review questions when needed.

Product/Service Information​

1. Name of Product or Service​

GitHub

2. Description and Usage​

GitHub is the course platform for source control, collaboration, pull requests, code review, issue discussion, and publication of project repositories. Students use GitHub to manage version history, collaborate on code and documentation, and publish course artifacts in a way that mirrors professional software development practice.

3. Product/Service Website​

4. How many individuals will use this product/service?​

More than 100 individuals in a semester. Capstone sections usually enroll about 20 to 25 students each, and there are typically 5 to 6 sections in a semester, which places expected usage above 100 users before including instructors and teaching assistants.

5. How many individuals will be required to use this product/service for coursework or job function?​

More than 100 individuals are required to use GitHub for coursework or instructional support in a semester. Capstone sections usually enroll about 20 to 25 students each, and there are typically 5 to 6 sections in a semester, which places required usage above 100 users before including instructors and teaching assistants.

6. Intended Audience​

Students and employees. Members of the public may also view public repositories or GitHub Pages sites generated as part of the course.

7. Contract Expiration Date​

If GitHub is being used through a specific institutional agreement, the requestor should supply the applicable contract date. If there is no multi-year contract tied to this request, this field may be left blank.

8. Are you submitting this request for yourself or on behalf of someone else?​

This is requestor-specific and should be completed by the instructor, staff member, or administrator submitting the form.

Exception Request Details​

9. Have you compared this product or service to others?​

Yes.

10. Researched Alternatives and Why They Are Not Acceptable Replacements​

  • GitLab: A capable platform, but it adds administrative and onboarding overhead for students and does not align as directly with the existing GitHub Classroom, GitHub Pages, and portfolio workflows used in the course.
  • Bitbucket: Supports source control collaboration, but it is less aligned with the public portfolio, GitHub Actions, and classroom onboarding model already established for the course.
  • Gitea or another self-hosted Git service: Would require local administration, infrastructure maintenance, and extra support work that is not appropriate for a semester-long undergraduate capstone course.

11. Reasonable Accommodations​

The use of GitHub does not change the learning objectives of the course. Reasonable accommodations may include:

  • Blind/Low Vision: Use screen readers, browser zoom, and high-contrast settings; provide accessible written instructions for repository workflows; and allow accessible local Git clients when the web interface is difficult to use.
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Provide captions or transcripts for any instructional videos and ensure communication can occur through written channels such as pull request comments, issues, email, Canvas, or chat.
  • Keyboard-Only Users: Support browser and GitHub keyboard navigation where available and provide workflow guidance that minimizes mouse-only interactions.
  • Speech-to-Text Users: Allow the use of speech recognition tools for editing code, writing pull request comments, and participating in code review.
  • Students with Limited or No Speech: Permit written participation in code reviews, issue discussions, repository documentation, and team coordination rather than requiring verbal participation.
  • Color Blindness: Do not rely only on color cues in diffs, status checks, or labels; use text-based descriptions and written reviewer guidance.
  • Cognitive or Learning Disabilities: Provide step-by-step workflow guides, templates for pull requests and issues, written checklists, and additional time where appropriate.
  • Motor Disabilities: Permit adaptive keyboards, switch devices, eye-tracking tools, alternative pointing devices, and compatible local Git clients.

12. Does the vendor have accessibility documentation?​

Yes.

13. Accessibility Documentation to Attach​

  • GitHub Accessibility
  • Any current GitHub accessibility statements or conformance materials available at the time of submission

14. Notes​

GitHub is central to the course because it supports collaborative version control, peer review, repository history, and public-facing project portfolios. Public exposure should be evaluated based on whether repositories and GitHub Pages sites are configured as public for the semester.