OM 9.3.0 - Website Accessibility Policy

Scope

This policy applies to Clarkson Websites.

back to top

Purpose of this Policy

Clarkson University is committed to supporting an information technology environment that provides individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the University’s programs, benefits, and services that is equal to that of their peers without disabilities.  The Website Accessibility Policy sets forth the actions that Clarkson will take to meet this commitment with regard to its Websites.  Clarkson’s commitment to digital accessibility is grounded not only in the principles of equity and inclusion, but also in the knowledge that accessible digital content generally enhances usability for everyone.

back to top

Policy Statement

All content and aspects of Clarkson’s Websites that are created, published, or substantially altered after December 1, 2022 shall conform to Digital Accessibility Benchmarks, except where an individual or committee designated by the President determines that doing so would represent an Undue Burden or Fundamental Alteration. In such cases, the University will provide Equally Effective Alternative Access. All content and aspects of Clarkson’s Websites created or published prior to December 1, 2022 shall be made to conform upon request.

AllThe personnelDigital Content Accessibility Officer (DCAO) who areis involved in the procurement, preparation and maintenance of the Clarkson University Websites areis expected to implement measurestesting and remediation protocols using vendor and third party monitoring services to advance this policy,policy. includingThis byincludes incorporating accessibility into development roadmaps, planning for compliance in the project planning, design, and RFP stages, requiring that vendors’ services comply with the Digital Accessibility Benchmarks, and testing for compliance before publication or launch. All additional personnel who are responsible for the daily maintenance of the content of the Clarkson University websites will receive training by the DCAO and are expected to maintain and comply with the testing and remediation protocols set forth by the DCAO. Additionally, when replacing technology at the University the procurement and vendor selection process will include a process to ensure the vendor meets the University's current accessibility standards. 

Upon a specific request by an individual who is unable to access specific content on a University Website, either the requested content must be updated to conform to the Digital Accessibility Benchmarks, or the requested content otherwise must be made available in an Equally Effective Alternative Access format in a timely manner. The unit responsible for the creation and maintenance of the content on this website is responsible for making it accessible or providing the alternative. Such requests may be submitted to the University by email to ada-request@clarkson.edu.  The University will begin the process of providing effective communication of the information to the requestor immediately, provide the information in an accessible format as soon as it is available, and commence addressing the underlying accessibility issues without undue delay based on the circumstances of the issue reported.  In accordance with University protocols, the team will resolve the accessibility issues reported in no more than 90 days.

No portion of this policy will be interpreted to overrule or create independent review of ADA discrimination claims set forth in the Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy. 

back to top

Definitions

Content

Content should be construed broadly to include anything on Clarkson Websites including, but not limited to, audio, video, images, tables, forms, documents (in any format, including .docx and .pdf), and html.

Digital Accessibility Benchmarks

Clarkson has adopted the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA as its standard for digital accessibility.

The University is committed to updating its accessibility standards to align with the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) or any succeeding body. This update will be triggered under any one of the following conditions:

A. Legal and Regulatory Changes: When new laws or regulations are enacted that require higher or different accessibility standards than those currently adopted.

B. Authoritative Guidance: When authoritative bodies such as the Department of Education, Department of Justice, or equivalent entities issue new guidance on digital accessibility standards.

C. Universal Best Practices: When there is a consensus among accessibility professionals and institutions of higher education that a new version of WCAG or an equivalent set of guidelines represents a new best practice for digital accessibility.

Digital Content Accessibility Officer

The University will appoint and maintain a Digital Content Accessibility Officer (DCAO), reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology (VPIT). The DCAO, in consultation with the VPIT, Legal Affairs, and the ADA Committee, will ensure that web accessibility is a central consideration in all digital initiatives and that the University’s digital content meets or exceeds the University’s Digital Accessibility Benchmark standards. They will specifically have authority to determine the agreed upon standard is applied in web content, governance, procurement, development, and technology.

Equally Effective Alternative Access

As used in this Policy, Equally Effective Alternative Access means an alternative format, medium, or other aid that timely and accurately communicates and/or provides access to the same content as does the original format or medium, and which is appropriate to an individual's disability.

Fundamental Alteration

A change to the University's services, programs, or activities that fundamentally alters the nature of the services, programs, or activities, including academic courses and technology. A determination of what constitutes a Fundamental Alteration may be made only by an individual or committee designated by the President.

Clarkson Websites   

Any website providing content and functionality for the University's programs, services or activities, including all subordinate pages and sites and web-based interfaces to applications, including content and functionality developed by, maintained by, or offered through a third party vendor or open source through which the University (or one of its schools, global sites, portal campuses, or library) provides its programs, services or activities. Clarkson Websites do not include sites that are independent of the University (including sites that are linked to/from Clarkson Websites) and do not provide University programs, services or activities.  

Undue Burden

A proposed course of action that would result in a significant financial and administrative burden. A determination of what constitutes an Undue Burden may only be made by an individual or committee designated by the University President.

back to top