The Bridge

Web Accessibility – All Student Affairs Web Pages Must Comply

The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) reflects the California State University’s (CSU) ongoing commitment to provide access to information resources and technologies to individuals with disabilities. This commitment is articulated in Executive Order 926 (EO926), the CSU Board of Trustees Policy on Disability Support and Accommodations, which requires the CSU to comply with federal 508 accessibility requirements.

“It is the policy of the CSU to make information technology resources and services accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff and the general public regardless of disability.”

Following are components of the Accessible Technology Initiative:

• Vision: To create a culture of access for an inclusive learning and working environment.
• Mission: To help CSU campuses in carrying out EO926 by developing guidelines, implementation strategies, tools and resources.
• Principle: To apply universal design, an approach to the design of products and services to be usable by the greatest number of people including individuals with disabilities.
• Strategy: To stimulate collaboration to effect changes that will ultimately benefit all.

“I expect every single Web page affiliated with Student Affairs to be compliant with the federal 508 requirements on or before the deadlines specified by the Chancellor’s office,” said Vice President James R. Kitchen. “We are fortunate to have an expert on the ATI right here in our division, Keith Parks. Of course, being only one person, he cannot do it alone, so I encourage anyone working on Web sites in the division to be diligent to ensure compliance.”

“It’s important to note the various timelines within the ATI,” said Parks. “As of September 1 of this year, all new or updated content needs to conform to accessibility standards. This means existing sites may remain as they are for the time being. However, we have only until May 15, 2009 to bring those existing Web sites and Web applications into 508 compliance, as well as bring them up to other standards laid out in the ATI.”

The Users’ Perspective

Understanding what Web accessibility means from the user’s perspective is key to creating Web pages that work for persons with disabilities. These videos were provided by CSU Fresno and cover:

• What is Web Accessibility? Download Real Player
  Play 56K clip | Play DSL/Cable clip
• How do users access the Web?
  Play 56K clip | Play DSL/Cable clip
• What are the problems?
  Play 56K clip | Play DSL/Cable clip
• How do we solve the problems: What can you do?
  Play 56K clip | Play DSL/Cable clip
• Why is Web accessibility important?
  Play 56K clip | Play DSL/Cable clip

See more information and videos from the CSU Chancellor’s Office.