Title: LEAD -Digital Access & Inclusion
The MSU Web Accessibility Policy, administered by the Office for Civil Rights at MSU (OCR), states that all new and redesigned University Web pages and web delivered content published after May 15, 2009 must be in compliance with the technical guidelines set forth on webaccess.msu.edu, unless granted an exception under Article IV of this policy.
General Policy
Accessibility in the context of disability is using universal design to create programs, services, and activities which can be utilized by all individuals, regardless of disability. To access is to enter into, participate in, and engage with the Michigan State University experience.
Michigan State University is committed to providing accessible digital experiences for persons with disabilities.
Policy Link: [https://webaccess.msu.edu/Policy_and_Guidelines/web-accessibility-policy.html]
Audience:
Faculty, Academic Staff and Graduate TAs
MSU Office(s):
- Policy Ownership: Office of the General Counsel
- Policy Enforcement: Office for Civil Rights at MSU
- Policy Support: MSU Information Technology | Digital Experience Team (digitalx@msu.edu)
- Local Support: Web Accessibility Policy Liaisons (https://webaccess.msu.edu/Help_and_Resources/liaisons.html)
Leadership
- Model inclusive practices by including statements about and a commitment to access and inclusion in your course. Check out the model language provided by the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at MSU: https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/get-started/faculty-departmental-resources/model-statements-disability-inclusion
- Ask publishers, or other digital content providers to learn more about the accessibility of digital content that you are interested in using in your course. For more information check out webaccess: https://webaccess.msu.edu/Help_and_Resources/web_third_party_questions.html
- Model lifelong learning by being transparent and open about your own level of awareness around the MSU Web Accessibility Policy and your technical abilities to make content accessible. Be willing to request support and engage in trainings.
- Join the community movement and partner in campus efforts towards accessible learning. Events like the Accessible Learning Conference and monthly Web Accessibility Policy Meetings are a great way to get involved: https://www.accessiblelearning.org/ and https://webaccess.msu.edu/schedule/index.html
- Follow the accessibility “quick tips” as you create your own digital content to make them more accessible: https://webaccess.msu.edu/Help_and_Resources/checklist.html
- Participate in digital accessibility training: https://www.webaccess.msu.edu/Help_and_Resources/classes-workshops.html
Communicating Policy
- The MSU Web Accessibility Policydefines the accessibility requirements for University Web pages and online content. The current Technical Guidelines require that pages meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at Conformance Level AA. More information on the policy is available on webaccess: https://webaccess.msu.edu/Policy_and_Guidelines/index.html
- When purchasing Electronic Information Technology (EIT), MSU faculty, staff and students should understand the impact these purchases have on individuals with disabilities in and outside the university. For more information refer to the MSU Purchasing website: https://usd.msu.edu/purchasing/eit-purchase-process/index.html
Respond to issues as soon as you become aware of them
Content that is not fully accessible to individuals with disabilities can and should be reported to the Digital Experience (DigitalX) team through the inaccessible digital content report form.
