Accessible Technology
Archived No
Effective Date
Steward Associate Vice President for Information Technology
Previous Version Access to Information Technology for People with Disabilities (archived)
Categories
Full Text of the Policy
Purpose/Rationale
Consistent with our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and in accordance with federal and state laws, The Evergreen State College provides accessible technology in all of our educational and administrative services, programs, and activities. This policy extends to the college’s electronic and information technologies (EIT) and applies to procurement, development, implementation and ongoing maintenance.
Ensuring equal and effective electronic and information technologies (EIT) access is an institutional responsibility extending across all programs, divisions and departments.
Definitions
“Accessible” means that individuals with disabilities are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same timeframe as individuals without disabilities, with substantially equivalent ease and effectiveness of use.
“Electronic and information technology” or “EIT” includes information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. The term electronic and information technology includes, but is not limited to, internet and intranet websites, content delivered in digital form, electronic books and electronic book reading systems, search engines and databases, learning management systems, classroom technology and multimedia, personal response systems ("clickers"), classroom podiums, office equipment , copiers and fax machines. It also includes any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, creation, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. This term includes telecommunications products (such as telephones), information kiosks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) transaction machines, computers, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.
“Equally Effective” means that the alternative formats or medium communicates the same information in as timely a manner as does the original format or medium.
This policy applies to:
While every employee of the college bears the responsibility of ensuring equal and effective electronic and information technologies (EIT) access, the Director of Computing & Communications, Director of Access Services, Academic Dean for Instructional Support & Library & Media Services and Campus Web Manager, are responsible for developing and maintaining operations and initiatives that ensure college-wide adoption and support of this policy.
Questions and concerns regarding this policy and its operational implementation should be directed to the Director of Computing and Communications.
For procedures governing reasonable accommodations, grievances and/or complaints related to inaccessible information technology, follow the procedures found in these policies:
Operational Roles and Responsibilities
1. Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) Working Group
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- Membership: Director of Computing & Communications (chair), Director of Access Services, Associate Directors of Computing and Communications, Associate Dean of Library Operations, Academic Project Manager, Library Faculty, IT Buyer, Civil Rights Specialist, Coordinator Assistive Technology Services, Academic Dean, Director of Integrated Marketing and Web Technologies, one regular faculty.
- Compiles and maintains data to track compliance with this policy and makes recommendations for improvements, including proposals for new programs, initiatives or technology purchases.
- Submits proposals for EITA improvements that are outside of the operational authority of members of this work group to the VP’s for approval and institutional funding.
- Reviews requests for exemptions to the EITA policy and makes recommendations to the Director of Computing and Communications regarding the approval or denial of purchase requisitions that fail to meet the intent of the EITA policy.
- Serves as a clearinghouse for information about equally accessible electronic and information technology, universal design in higher education, and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
- Serves as an advisory group for faculty and staff professional development in electronic and information technology accessibility, universal design in higher education, and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
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2. College websites and online software applications
Computing and Communications, Marketing and Communications and Library staff will:
- Meet the most currently published standards and guidelines as defined in the policy.
- Link official college websites where possible to the college’s main accessibility page.
- Ensure college websites and online applications remain accessible by regularly monitoring for problems and seeking solutions as required.
- Identify, establish and maintain a feedback/complaint process by which site visitors can report an issue related to accessibility.
- Provide information or links on the college’s main social media properties to that provider’s accessibility page, if one exists.
3. Electronic instructional materials and assignments
Computing and Communications and Library Staff will:
Library and Academic Program Support staff will:
4. Library electronic collections and user interfaces
Library faculty and staff will:
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- Use, produce or procure electronic library collections and user interfaces that are accessible.
- Host library collections in an accessible, integrated library system.
- Replace or reformat legacy library collections that include but are not limited to microfilm, microfiche, and film when possible or upon request to meet accessibility standards.
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5. Electronic Documents and media
Faculty and Instruction Staff will:
Library Media Services and Electronic Media Staff will:
Computing and Communications will:
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- Create and maintain approved product list(s) for EIT products that are routinely purchased and are accessible, including but not limited to personal computing devices, peripherals such as scanners and card readers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines, audio-video equipment, telephones and networking equipment.
- Create and maintain an EIT assessment process for all EIT purchases that cannot be made from an approved product list. The process will include review of the EIT assessment form, VPAT and/or other documentation to ensure that the intent of the EIT policy is met. If the intent is not met, the purchase requisition and a request to grant an exemption must be submitted to the EITA work group. Circumstances which may qualify as exemptions from this policy include but are not limited to:
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College Staff with Purchase Authority will:
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- Procure all electronic and information technology from an approved product list or submit an EIT assessment form with their purchase requisition to the IT Buyer.
- Submit a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or alternative documentation that demonstrates that the product(s) or service(s) meet the intent of the EIT policy to the IT Buyer.
- Replace or upgrade legacy electronic and information technology including but not limited to microfilm, microfiche, and legacy video as needed or upon request to meet the intent of the EIT policy.
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Authority
Applicable standards and guidelines include those most currently published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as a target for meeting web content accessibility and those published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
See Also
Related: