Web Accessibility Policy
Policy Statement
Purpose and Scope
Marywood University is committed to facilitating access to University instruction, communication, research, and business processes to the broadest possible audience, in accordance with a commitment to the values of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, founder and sponsor of the University.
This Policy is intended to ensure that the content of Marywood University’s Internet sites and systems are accessible to those whose disability would otherwise prevent them from obtaining access to University websites for legitimate business purposes. It applies to all Marywood University websites and publicly facing web-based applications used to conduct core University business or academic activities, including websites provided by third party providers with whom Marywood University has contracted for providing web-based content.
This Policy is not applicable to Web pages published by students, employees, or non-university organizations hosted by the University but not used to conduct core University business or academic activities.
Web pages which conduct core University business and academic activities include those web pages which students, employees, or visitors must access in order to effectively participate in a program, service, or activity offered by the University. Examples of core academic activities include admissions, registration, advising, and academic course work. Examples of core business activities include business services or personnel activities of Human Resources, Cashier’s Office, Registrar’s Office, Athletics, or other University services frequently used by employees or visitors.
This Policy is intended to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulation, specifically Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), 29 U.S.C. § 794, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 104, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“Title II”), 42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq., and its implementing regulation 28 C.F.R. Part 35.
Responsibilities
|
Title or Role |
What They are Responsible For |
|
Chief Information Officer
|
Maintains and enforces this policy. Act as the Web Accessibility Coordinator for the University overall, reviewing compliance of both University websites and third-party websites provided under contract to the University for access by prospective and current students, alumni, and the public. |
|
Executive Director, Marketing |
Acts as the Web Accessibility Coordinator for the public website, reviewing new and updated content. |
|
Web Team |
Provide underlying technology and capabilities for maintaining the website in accordance with this policy. |
|
Web Content Owners |
Provide content updates and feedback as required to support the Accessibility program of the University. |
|
Third-Party Providers |
Provide solutions and content that meet WCAG 2.0 Accessibility guidelines. |
After August 31, 2021 University web pages created or updated must comply to the maximum extent possible with certain technical guidelines. These guidelines are set forth in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), in the Web Accessibility Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAI-ARIA) 1.0 techniques for web content, or in other standard or combination of standards, which will render online content accessible unless an exception as outlined below is granted.
Marketing and Information Technology will review new and redesigned web pages and applications for compliance to WCAG 2.0 and WAI-ARIA 1.0 prior to publication.
Content owners seeking an exception to this Policy must submit a written request to the Executive Director of Marketing and the Chief Information Officer, detailing why compliance is not feasible and how the University will make information from the excepted Web pages or applications available to individuals with a disability in an equally effective manner.
The Chief Information Officer will conduct an annual internal review of this Policy and University web content for compliance with this Policy and provide a written report to the Executive Director of Marketing. This report will identify areas of non-compliance, if any, and outline a remediation plan.
Complaints regarding accessibility of University Web pages and applications should be directed to the Executive Director of Marketing. The Executive Director of Marketing is responsible for investigating complaints of non-compliance and for referring non-compliant websites to the Chief Information Officer for remediation. Remediation efforts may include removal of the site or application from the Internet until the Web site or application complies with this policy.
Third party standards, guidelines, or other policies referenced in this Policy include:
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, World Wide Web Consortium: https://www.w3.org/TR/2008/REC-WCAG20-20081211/.
- Web Accessibility Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAI-ARIA) 1.0, https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria/.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), 29 U.S.C. § 794,
- 34 C.F.R. Part 104.
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“Title II”), 42 U.S.C. § 12131.
- 28 C.F.R. Part 35.
No Exhibits.
Related Policies
Related Committees
History
12/10/21 – The establishment of this University Policy was approved by the President of the University as recommended by the Policy Committee of the University at their 12/10/21 meeting.