POLICY:
University Web materials authored by University Faculty and Staff in support of the university mission must be accessible by all, including persons with disabilities.
DEFINITIONS:
Accessibility: Web sites must be designed so that they can be "browsed" in alternative formats that convey as much of the original meaning and sensory experiences as possible. Such alternative formatting should load and then be "browsable" in approximately the same amount of time as the source site.
If the complexity of alternative formatting exceeds current technology or University expertise, developers can request authorization from the appropriate administrator to provide accessible non-digital equivalents to users upon request in reasonable time.
PROCEDURES:
Web developers must create new Web materials and make revisions to existing Web materials in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, §1194.22, and validate accessibility via industry standard tools and by conducting manual checks such as evaluating the material using a screen reader or a text browser, carefully considering the sounds used on the site, and accessing the material without using a mouse; i.e., by using tab and direction keys.
CSUN policy and procedures follow the most recent directives from the CSU about time line and priority for making accessible the most frequently visited University web pages, as well as instructional materials and online course materials.
Exceptions to alternative digital formatting for web materials must be approved by the appropriate administrator, in consultation with the Office of Web Communication. This Office will consult regularly with appropriate campus technology committees to review changes in University capacity and expertise.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Office of University Web Communications will be responsible for compliance with this policy in coordination with the University Web Management Committee, which is comprised of representatives of every university division. The Office of University Web Communication also will be the primary contact for faculty and staff who have questions about web compatibility with ADA expectations and will work in conjunction with the Provost’s Office on the implementation of ADA compliance for academic instructional materials.
The Office of University Web Communications, IT Desktop Support and Training, and the Office of Online Instruction will provide technical support, training and documentation on the preparation of accessible Web pages. Colleges, academic departments and administrative units are responsible to ensure that their Web materials adhere to this policy.
REFERENCES:
1. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the "508 Compliance Web Page"http://www.csun.edu/~comp508/
2. SB 105, September 11, 2002 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02//bill/sen/sb_0101-0150/sb_105_bill_20020929_chaptered.html
3. SB 302, October 11, 2003 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/03-04//bill/sen/sb_0301-0350/sb_302_bill_20031011_chaptered.html
4. AA-2006-41 http://www.calstate.edu/acadaff/codedmemos/AA-2006-41.pdf
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The Manager of University Web Communications.
Approved by the President
