University Policy 5.12
Web Accessibility Standards

Policy Statement

Cornell University is committed to providing an environment in which all people have an equal opportunity to participate in the university’s programs, activities, and services. To support this environment, all new, newly added or redesigned university web content, web pages, web functionality, websites, and web applications must be made accessible to people with disabilities to the standard prescribed by the most recently published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), except where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. 

When fundamental alteration or undue burden applies, equally effective alternative means of access must be provided so that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the same benefits and services.

Reason for Policy

Cornell recognizes that websites and web-based applications are often integral to the academic and administrative work of the university. The university strives to ensure that people with disabilities are able to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same benefits and services within the same timeframe as their non-disabled peers, with substantially equivalent ease of use; that they are not excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any university programs, services, and activities delivered online; and that they receive effective communication of the university’s programs, services, and activities delivered online.

Additionally, the university strives to comply with federal and state laws and regulations requiring accessibility and equal access for individuals with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the New York State Human Rights Law, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

Entities Affected by This Policy

• Ithaca-based locations
• Cornell Tech Campus
• Weill Cornell Medicine campuses

Who Should Read This Policy

• Anyone who is creating, editing, or placing content on a Cornell University website or web application
• Anyone purchasing web products and web services
• Unit heads 

Related Resources

External Documentation

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
• World Wide Web Consortium Accessibility Standards Overview

University Forms and Systems

Contacts

Direct any general questions about this policy to your college or unit administrative office. If you have questions about specific issues, contact the following offices.

Definitions

These definitions apply to terms as they are used in this policy.

Responsibilities

The major responsibilities each party has in connection with this policy are:

Principles

Introduction

Cornell University is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities. In keeping with this principle, Cornell has committed to adopt the most recently published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards for all new, newly added, or redesigned university web content, web pages, web functionality, websites, and web applications (see Related Resources). Furthermore, the university will strive to purchase only those web products and services that operate in accordance with the most recently published WCAG standards. Individuals seeking assistance or having difficulty with website accessibility should contact the Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) manager for assistance.

Scope of This Policy

All new, newly added or redesigned university web content, web pages, web functionality, websites, and web applications published or procured by any unit are covered by this policy.

Role of the EITA Manager

The Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) manager has the authority to report any EITA issue to the IT Governance Council, for reasons related to this policy, when necessary.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing outreach and training on principles, tools, and techniques for members of the university community who maintain websites and web applications or use the web to deliver instructional materials.
• Being actively involved in the procurement process for websites and web applications, to help ensure that accessibility requirements are made part of contractual agreements and contractors fulfill their obligations to deliver accessible websites and web applications.
• Leading accessibility reviews of key institutional websites and web applications.
• Developing and maintaining a web accessibility website or a robust resource section under the Cornell accessibility website.
• Organizing and responding to requests for assistance from site users to make website or web application content accessible.
• Facilitating review of modified compliance requests.

Procedures

Required Website Footer Information

Each university website and web application, including legacy pages, must provide a user-friendly way for individuals to request assistance with accessibility issues. Examples of acceptable footer language can be found on the Web Accessibility Footer information page.

Procuring Accessible Information Technology

The university strives to ensure that university web pages, web content, web functionality, websites, and web applications purchased by or used at the university are accessible to all faculty, students, and staff members, including those with disabilities. To reach this goal, those responsible for making decisions about which products or services to procure must consider accessibility as one of the criteria for acquisition. This is especially critical for enterprise-level web applications and other key websites that affect a large number of students, faculty, patients, or staff members. For more information contact Procurement and Payment Services.

Addressing Concerns

Concerns regarding accessibility of university web pages, websites, or web applications can be directed to the Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) manager for prompt resolution.

Alternative Access

If compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens due to the nature of the information and/or the intent of the web page, a written request for consideration can be submitted to the Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) Manager, who will, in consultation with the IT Governance Council, work to address the concerns. Requests for consideration must be as narrowly tailored as possible, be based on issues other than cost alone, and must include information regarding equally effective alternative means of access that would be provided so that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services being provided.

Training

Courses on web accessibility and other resources can be found in Workday Learning and/or under the IT@Cornell website. 

Responsible Office and Policy Administration

Responsible Executive

Revision History