Electronic & Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy

Policy Statement

SUNY Brockport is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as individuals without disabilities. That includes information, interactions, and services that are provided using electronic and information technology (EIT), such as email, websites, online systems, and electronic teaching equipment. As part of this commitment, digital content must be accessible to everyone, including individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments, with or without the use of assistive technology. Examples include captioning on videos, alternative text with website images, and transcripts for podcasts.

Purpose/Scope

This policy is in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies requiring accessibility and equal access for individuals with disabilities. These laws and policies include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the New York State Human Rights Law.

This policy represents a commitment on the part of SUNY Brockport to comply with the State University of New York’s Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy, adopted by the SUNY Trustees effective June 20, 2019. 

Applicability

This policy:

• applies University-wide, including Campus-Related Entities (BASC, Foundation, Research Foundation);
• applies to all University electronic and information technologies (EIT), whether they are created, designed, purchased, or maintained internally or by a vendor; and
• sets the expectation that the University community will make reasonable efforts to ensure that online content is accessible to everyone.

This policy does not apply to individual web pages published by students, employees, or non-University organizations that are not hosted by the University and do not conduct University-related business. However, individuals and organizations responsible for these web pages are encouraged to adopt the University accessibility standards.

Definitions

Accessible - In the case of a program or activity, readily usable by a particular individual, with or without alternate formats; in the case of the web and electronic resources, accessible with or without the use of assistive technology.

Alternate Format - Refers to alternatives to standard print. Information presented in an accessible format (examples: electronic, audio, large print, or Braille).

Archived EIT - EIT containing core administrative or academic information, official records, and similar information that are no longer available to a wide audience, but are subject to record retention plans. Note that technology components such as software applications and hardware devices are not placed in an archive status.

Assistive Technology - Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Classroom Accessibility Standards - A summary listing of all pertinent building code and classroom technology system features that should be included when constructing or renovating classrooms. These features are drawn heavily from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design which apply to building standards on federal and state property, and from any subsequently updated federal or state-mandated standards.

Digital Content Accessibility Standards - In addition to the accessibility standards codified in the Web Accessibility Standards (WAS), requirements and recommendations touch on documents, multimedia, and quality course-building that is inclusive of accessibility.

Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) - Information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. EIT includes, but is not limited to, information resources such as the internet and intranet websites, content delivered in digital form, search engines and databases, learning management systems, classroom technologies; web, computer, and mobile-based applications allowing for interaction between software and users; and services employing information technology and telecommunications equipment.

Equally Effective Alternate Access - The alternative format communicates the same information in as timely a fashion as does the original web page. For interactive applications and hardware devices, “equally effective” means that the user action (e.g., registration) is accomplished in a comparable time and with comparable effort on the part of the requester.

Exceptions - In certain cases, meeting the accessibility standards required by these guidelines may not be feasible due to an undue burden or that doing so would result in a fundamental alteration. Such assertions may only be made by the president or designee who has budgetary authority, after considering all resources available for use, and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reason(s) why it is not feasible. These difficulties do not relieve University programs or services from meeting EIT accessibility obligations. Equally Effective Alternative Access must be provided upon request.

Library Accessibility Standards - Accessibility best practices and guidance as it pertains to critical library functions including services, collections, physical, and digital environments.

Procurement Accessibility Conformance Standards - Checklist for including accessibility as a requirement within the purchasing process for electronic information and technologies.

Web Accessibility Standards - Baseline requirements for compliance with the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Policy Procedures

The following set of standards are modeled after federal law, international technical accessibility standards, and national best practices.  These standards are defined by the current SUNY EIT Accessibility Policy and contain both technical and procedural guidelines. Not all standards apply to all content creators, but where they do apply, every effort should be made to conform to the relevant standard(s). 

The five standards reflect the five EIT domains addressed by this policy; they are:

Links to Related Procedures and Information

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Americans with Disabilities Act
IFLA Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities
New York State Human Rights Law
SUNY Electronic & Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Committee - Final Report and Recommendations
SUNY Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Contact Information

CIO & EIT Officer

History (in descending order)

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2021-11-18