J13: Electronic Information and Technology Access

Responsibility for Maintenance: Electronic Information & Technology Access Committee; Office of Accessibility Resources

I. Policy Statement

Onondaga Community College (OCC) commits to ensure that all persons have an equal opportunity and full access to participate in the College’s programs, benefits, and services, including those delivered and accessed through electronic and information technology. What is accessible for some will be accessible to all. 

II. Reason for the Policy

In accordance with the State University of New York Accessibility Policy, OCC employees will create, obtain, and maintain all electronic and information technology in a manner that ensures it is accessible to individuals with disabilities. OCC is committed to provisioning accessible information technology systems. 

 

III. Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to all employees and third-party agents of OCC who provide online information, services, resources and instruction in digital formats.  Equal access is the responsibility of all staff, faculty, and administrators. This policy applies to web accessibility, accessibility of all instructional materials, document accessibility, electronic media accessibility, systems accessibility and procurement.

IV. Definitions

Term	Definition
Electronic Information & Technology Access Committee (EITA)	Is responsible for oversight, compliance and dissemination of best practices of digital access for those with disabilities and varied learning styles. The EITA Committee will assess emerging technology trends and make recommendations to the College governance structure on adaptive practices. The EITA is charged by the Executive Council to oversee compliance and dissemination of information.
Electronic Accessibility	To maintain all electronic and information technology in a manner that ensures it is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Accessible Technology	Accessibility is measured by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Accessible technology may be usable without assistive technology or may be compatible with standard assistive technology.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)	Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are developed through the W3C process with a goal of providing a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)	W3C is an initiative to promote strategies, standards, resources to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities.

 

V. Contacts

Subject	Office Name	Telephone	Email/URL
To report a concern or make recommendations on evolving technologies and accommodations	EITA Committee	(315) 498-2717	eita@sunyocc.edu
	Office of Accessibility Resources	(315) 498-2245	oar@sunyocc.edu

 

VI. Procedures

The Electronic Information & Technology Access Committee (EITA) is responsible for oversight, compliance and dissemination of best practices of digital access for those with disabilities and varied learning styles. The EITA will assess emerging technology trends and make recommendations to the College governance structure on adaptive practices. The EITA is charged by the Executive Council to oversee compliance and dissemination of information. The EITA oversight will include:

Websites & Online Digital Resources

All web pages, websites and web-based software published, hosted or used (including remotely hosted sites and software) by the College will meet the standards and guidelines outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)  published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). All materials will meet Level AA guidelines with limited exceptions allowed where technology does not permit. All College websites will link to the College’s main Accessibility page which includes a statement of commitment to Web accessibility. Any digital resources that are available need to be accessible to all.

Class Resources

OCC will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines and WCAG.  Faculty and staff will create and provide accessible course content and instructional materials.

Library Services

The library department will use tools that meet the standards and guidelines outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)  published by the W3C.

Procurement

All hardware, software, programs, and other information technology (IT) procured from vendors must be accessible if the IT will be used to access College programs, services, or activities.

Approved by the Board of Trustees June 23, 2020