Academic Affairs

02:13:05 Digital Accessibility

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the laws, standards, and requirements the College must follow to ensure digital accessibility.
Definitions - The following are general definitions of terms used in this policy.
1. Accessible: individuals with disabilities are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same time frame as individuals without disabilities, with substantially equivalent ease of use.
2. Universal Design (UD): a framework to improve and optimize design of environments.
3. WCAG 2.0 A & AA: WCAG 2.0 stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. It is W3C’s web accessibility standards. Level A & AA are used for higher education institutions in Tennessee.
4. WCAG2ICT: WCAG2ICT stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Information and Communication Technology. This document describes how to apply the principles, guidelines and success criteria to non-web information and communication technologies.
5. EPUB 1.0 Accessibility: EPUB ebook accessibility guidelines.
6. PDF/UA aligned with WCAG 2.0 A & AA: PDF accessibility guidelines aligned with WCAG 2.0 A & AA.
Accessibility Laws and Standards
Requirements of a Public Institution
1. As a public college, Chattanooga State Community College adheres to section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ChSCC is required to adhere to the 2014 TN HB1857 Accessibility law. These laws specify the means by which the institution ensures compliance with these laws. If a future federal or state law applicable to the institution provides greater protections to persons with disabilities than WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA, this standard will be interpreted as requiring compliance with the provisions set forth in the law.
Mission Statement
1. To provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to use instructional and informational materials and technologies that allow them to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as persons without disabilities in an equally effective and equally integrated manner and with substantially equivalent ease of use.
Requirements
1. Digital Accessibility Responsibility
  1. All employees are responsible for the accessibility of digital content they create and/or procure.
2. All colleges, departments and central units are responsible for ensuring access for students to their digital content and applications in accordance with current accessibility standards and universal design. This standard establishes minimum requirements for the accessibility of Electronic Information, Communication, and Technology necessary to meet the college’s goals and ensure compliance with applicable law.
3. Specific applications are as follows, but not limited to:
  1. Websites
  2. Instructional materials, in house and vendor provided
  3. Documents
  4. Electronic Media
  5. College Presentations
  6. Software, Hardware, IT Systems, Communication, Digital Content
4. Universal Design
  1. Content and products should also promote universal design and access.
5. Web Platform Accessibility Issue Reporting
  1. Accessibility issues may be brought to the attention of the institution by submitting accessibility feedback through an email from statements such as those below.
  2. Statement similar to ones below should be placed at the bottom of every current webpage, in every course, and the footer of the College’s Course Management System e.g. Brightspace. The statement must include a form of communication (i.e. an email address specifically for accessibility issues, a web form, etc.). The communication method must be accessible.
    - ChSCC Website: ChSCC is committed to ensuring its web content is accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility questions or suggestions, please contact us.
    - Library: ChSCC is committed to ensuring its web content is accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility questions or suggestions, please contact us.
    - College Online Learning Management System: ChSCC is committed to ensuring courses are accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility questions or suggestions, please contact us.
    - Continuing Education: ChSCC is committed to ensuring Continuing Education is accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility questions or suggestions, please contact us.
6. Accessibility Training
  1. Accessibility training, in an online environment, is required to be completed by all employees at Chattanooga State Community College who participate in the process of creating or purchasing of digital content.
  2. New employee orientation must include accessibility training requirements.
7. Vendor Contracts and Renewals
  1. Develop, purchase and/or acquire, to the extent feasible, hardware and software products that are accessible to people with disabilities.
  2. All contracts and renewals go through the Purchase of Contracted Products Process (see attached Document A flow chart).
8. Content for Teaching
  1. Content created by instructors must be created using current accessibility standards.
    - Any non-accessible content must have an alternative Access Plan with required signatures placed in the master course manage files area.
    - Instructions and principles for creating accessible content are included in the required Accessibility Training Course.
    - Vendor content must go through the Use of Vendor Content Process (see the attached Document A flow chart) for non-contract procurement.
9. Not Technically Feasible Exemptions (Completed Alternative Access Plan Required)
  1. Requestor researches and confirms there are no acceptable accessible products available.
  2. Hardware and software exceptions are as follows:
    - Tools specific to a research or development process in which no member of the research or development team requires accessibility accommodations. The lead investigator must document that, upon inquiry, no members of the research or development team identified themselves as requiring an accommodation.
    - No equivalent accessible option is available (non-availability). All colleges, departments, central units, and project leads are responsible for documenting the following efforts in verifying compliance with this exception.
    - Alternative products with similar required functionality that do not provide additional accessibility are identified.
    - Alternative products that are accessible but do not meet functionality requirements are identified.
    - Products required by an accrediting agency.
Forms/Instructions
1. Purchase of Contracted Products - 02:13:05 Attachment A - Purchase of Contracted Products
2. Instructor Use of Vendor Content - 02:13:05 Attachment B - Instructor Use of Vendor Contract
3. AC&R Form - 02:13:05 Attachment C - Accessibility Conformance and Remediation Form
4. Alternative Access Plan - 02:13:05 Attachment D - Alternate Access Plan (AAP)
Contacts
1. AVP Academic Resources
2. Specialist, Accessibility
3. Director, Educational Technology
4. Contracts Officer

Submitted to Policy Review Committee: 2019.02.18

Submitted to Policy Review Board: 2019.04.08

Approved by Policy Review Board: 2019.04.24

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Academic Affairs

02:13:05 Digital Accessibility