ES4085 - Digital and Web Based Content Accessibility

1. Institutional Regulations
   1. DMACC will provide accessible websites, online platforms, and online content. The college will work to comply with best practices and standards as defined by Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
   2.  Digital accessibility standards will apply to DMACC and vendor-generated (licensed) digital and web content, platforms, and services, including, but not limited to, websites, learning management systems, course content (publisher- and instructor-generated and purchased), testing platforms, communications (emails and attachments), shared materials, and digital media.
   3.  Employees will review digital and web-based content and platforms for accessibility prior to purchase or use.
   4.  Employees using digital and web-based content and platforms will continually monitor accessibility and report inaccessible features to the appropriate college personnel.
   5.  Unless otherwise approved, and other options provided, videos will be closed captioned and educational content (courses and training) will utilize text-to-speech functionality.
   6.  The Program Five-Year Review Committee will include reviews of digital and web-based content accessibility.
   7.  A Technology Oversight Committee will review prior to purchase:
      1.  New overarching software purchase considerations with a large scope,
      2.  Changes to existing program software, and
      3.  Changes in duties related to the operation of software. 
2. Procedure:
   1. DMACC web pages will be assessed through an ongoing process by a W3C compliant validation product.
   2.  Employees will create and maintain accessible digital media and content, including, but not limited to, documents, slide decks, videos, and any other digital material shared with others.
   3.  Employees will review provided accessibility standards and select/use accessible products. Prior to purchasing, adopting, or distributing any new technology/materials, at a minimum, staff/faculty are to:
      1.  Discuss accessibility with the company.
      2. Ask for and review the company’s Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), or equivalent.
      3.  Participate in a demo of the product’s accessibility.
      4.  Repeat this process before renewal of any digital product to ensure that accessibility hasn’t changed.
   4.  The College will provide ongoing training and resources to continuously prioritize accessibility within the College community’s daily work.
   5.  Employees may request assistance and direction for Section II of this procedure from their supervisor, Instructional Designers, and/or the Tech Oversight Committee.
   6.  The Vice President, Academic Affairs and Vice President, Student Affairs are responsible for this procedure. Compliance oversight is supported by the Executive Academic Deans, Executive Dean of Distance Learning, Director of Marketing, and/or their designees, along with the Executive Director of Information Solutions, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Human Resources, ADA Section 504 Coordinator, and Disability Services Coordinator.