The University Policy Manual

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Web Accessibility

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  • (Approved by the Chancellor, July 18, 2005)
  • (Approved by the Chancellor, May 15, 2010)
  • (Revised, August 8, 2013)

Purpose

The World Wide Web is a major resource for the faculty, staff and students of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Because UNCG is engaged in Web page and Web site development, this policy establishes standards for Web page accessibility.

Scope

UNCG is committed to providing access to Web-based information in its programs and services in connection with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. All official University Web Pages associated with University administration, services, courses of instruction, programs, and activities must conform to the Web accessibility standards and requirements below listed.

Web accessibility will be approached as part of the University's overall efforts to develop and use the Web. These efforts are governed by the Oversight for UNCG External Online Presence Policy. That policy specifies that the division of Information Technology Services is responsible for the technical management of the Web, and the office of University Relations is responsible for setting standards for Web content. The Internet Oversight Committee encourages the campus-wide use of the Web.

Definitions:

  1. Official UNCG Web pages: Any UNCG administrative or academic Web pages that are utilized for the presentation, transmission or receipt of official University materials or information
  2. University Web manager: Anyone who develops or manages official University Web pages including, but not limited to, faculty, staff, students, volunteers and outside contractors.

Policy statement

Standards are as follows:

  1. Development of all official University Web Pages must include reasonable efforts to conform to the accessibility standards required under the above referenced laws.
  2. Development of all official University Web Pages must include reasonable efforts to make the sites functional and usable for persons with disabilities.
  3. Development of all official University Web Pages should include a good faith effort to select linked sites which are accessible.
  4. If accessibility cannot be addressed in the Web page design, the institution must develop alternative ways for providing disabled persons access to the information or services supplied by the web page. An official University Web Page that is not accessible under the federal standards may be given an exemption provided that it meets one or more of the following criteria:
    1. Compliance is not reasonably attainable with current technology;
    2. The content cannot be effectively delivered in an accessible format without fundamentally altering the nature of the content; or
    3. The content is undergoing initial development; this exemption is limited to a six (6) month development period.

Enforcement

Procedures for enforcement are as follows:

  1. Implementation and Enforcement. Each of the University's divisions will designate an individual as their "Divisional Webmaster" who will be responsible for implementation and enforcement in that division. Each Divisional Webmaster will also serve on the Internet Oversight Committee.  The Office of Accessibility Resources & Services will maintain a list of these individuals, provided by the Provost and Vice Chancellors. Questions about divisional responsibility may be referred to the divisional representatives, acting as a group
  2. Accessibility Criteria. The criteria and guidelines for University Web Page accessibility are identified in the UNCG Web Accessibility Guidelines. The guidelines will be maintained by the divisional representative group, in consultation and cooperation with the Internet Oversight Committee, at a level that complies with the University's legal obligation.
  3. Requests for Exemptions. All requests for exemption must be made to a divisional representative, who will grant or deny the exemption based on the criteria above listed, or will refer the request to the Internet Oversight Committee.
  4. Findings of Accessibility or Policy Violation. The following standards apply to potential violators:
    1. All notices of policy violations or questions about accessibility will be submitted to the divisional representative.
    2. If a divisional representative finds that a University Web Site is inaccessible and/or that it has not been exempted from this policy, he will seek correction of the deficiency or provide an exemption.
    3. If no correction or exemption is undertaken, a divisional representative may request the University Webmaster to remove the Web manager's authority over the Web Site, and remove from service the Web documents.

Review

This policy will be reviewed as needed, and may be amended by the Chancellor.

Related Information

As future IT procurement decisions are made by the University, use by people with disabilities will be of concern. Purchasing of software and hardware should be made in conformity with Purchasing regulations and should utilize standards in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

With respect to Federal standards, Section 504 and the ADA mandate web accessibility compliance. While some federal grants and contracts require compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the University is not subject to this law. Section 508 is, however, a useful resource for accessibility; therefore, the University has chosen to incorporate World Wide Web Consortium and Section 508 tools in its Web Accessibility Guidelines.

Contact

Comments or questions? Email the Policy Administrator.




 
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