Grand Valley State University is committed to providing accessible digital experiences for all users, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to ensure that all individuals can access and interact with our digital platforms effectively. This policy establishes minimum standards for the accessibility of digital content necessary to meet the University's goals and ensure compliance with applicable law.  All digital content developed, procured, or used will be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Digital content will conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA Technologies Accessibility Standards and this policy.

This policy applies to all official digital content developed by or for a college, school, department, program, or unit of the University.

Each website will contain a link to report accessibility issues.

Training

Accessibility training will be provided and required of all faculty, staff and other authorized representatives prior to being given access to manage any online content through the Content Management System (CMS) or through remote access to a web server (FTP, SFTP, SSH, etc.). This training will help content administrators produce accessible content and assess and correct content that may be inaccessible. All content administrators will be required to complete Accessibility Training on an annual basis as long as they manage online content.

Enforcement

Digital content found to be in violation of this Policy will be referred to the Web Accessibility Coordinators or their designees, who will contact the responsible unit to begin remediation procedures. If necessary, some or all non-compliant portions of the digital content may be taken offline or brought into compliance by designated staff or contractors.

Purchasing of Outside Content

All web-based content and systems, whether developed internally or obtained from third parties that the University chooses to make available, are expected to conform to accessibility standards set forth in this policy. Accessibility of these technologies should be verified by University staff with demonstrated ability in accessibility evaluation. This verification process should be accomplished through hands-on evaluation of the product, prior to purchase.

When evaluating third-party products, University representatives making procurement decisions should consider a product’s accessibility as part of its evaluation. However, there will not always be accessible choices, or the most accessible choice may not align with other dominant selection criteria. In cases where a product with limited accessibility has been purchased, interim, equivalent accommodations documented in an approved ADA exception should be in place until the service can be made accessible.

Contact Information

Any concerns with the accessibility of digital content should be directed to [email protected] or reported via the link on the applicable website.

Related Links and Resources

• Digital Accessibility Help Desk
• Accessibility Training Portal
• Accessibility Training for Blackboard Ultra
• Title IX Online Reporting form
• WCAG 2.1 Guidelines