Seattle Colleges shall provide appropriate, effective, and integrated access to technology and electronic content for students, employees, and external community members. This policy applies to the procurement, development and implementation of instructional, administrative or communications technologies and content. Further, the policy applies to both current and emerging technologies, including both hardware and software, in use or being evaluated for purchase or adoption at SCD. This policy encompasses, but is not limited to, college websites, learning management tools, student information systems, training materials, instructional materials and assessment tools.

This policy applies to all individuals or groups of individuals managing programs and services where information technology is deployed and/or electronic content published at Seattle Colleges.

REFERENCES

  • 3.20.30b SBCTC Accessible Technology
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Americans with Disabilities Act as it applies to electronic information
  • OCIO Policy 188 - Accessibility
  • RCW 28B.10.912
  • RCW 49.60
  • Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • Sections 504 and 508 as they apply to electronic information
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

DEFINITIONS

Accessible:

With respect to these guidelines, “accessible” IT means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and use the same services as a person without a disability in a timely, equally effective, and integrated manner. A person with a disability should be able to obtain the information as fully, equally, and independently as a person without a disability. Although this might not result in identical ease of use compared to persons without disabilities, it still must ensure equal opportunity to experience the educational benefits and opportunities afforded.

Accessible Information Technology:

Information technology that has been designed, developed, or procured to be usable by, and therefore accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies.

Assistive Technologies:

Adaptive, rehabilitative devices that promote greater independence for individuals with disabilities by changing how these individuals interact with technology.

Examples include special input devices (e.g., head or foot mouse, puff-and-sip switches, speech recognition), screen-reading software, and screen magnifiers.

Usability:

Refers to how easily, effectively, and efficiently users can use a product or system to achieve their goals, and how satisfied they are with the experience.

Companion Document : Pro
Adoption Date : 2017/05/11
Revision Date : 0001/01/01