University Policies and Procedures Manual (previously Business Policies and Procedures Manual)

Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility

UPPM 10.45

For more information contact:
    Web Communications
    509-335-0383 / web.support@wsu.edu
    Information Technology Services
    509-335-4357 / crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu

1.0 Overview and Purpose

Washington State University (WSU, University) is committed to providing equal access to electronic and information technology (EIT) for all students, staff, faculty, and others with disabilities. This includes but is not limited to accessibility of instructional materials, documents, media, and other information provided through WSU’s telecommunication products, websites, online learning services, software systems, and information kiosks.

This policy sets forth the standards, responsibilities, and requirements for ensuring the accessibility of materials and information provided through University EIT.

2.0 Applicability

This policy applies to the procurement, design, development, implementation, utilization, and maintenance of EIT, including through third-party vendors.

3.0 Definitions

Electronic and Information Technology (EIT): Instructional materials, documents, media, and other information provided through WSU’s telecommunication products, websites, online learning services, software systems, and information kiosks.

Digital Content: Another term to classify electronic and information technology (EIT). Digital content is any content that is in an electronic digital format. Digital technology is any program, software, or tool used to create, store, and access digital content. This applies to, but is not limited to:

  • Academic technology
  • Audio
  • E-mail
  • Extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed)
  • Images
  • Information kiosks
  • Instructional materials
  • Media
  • Mobile apps
  • Online learning services
  • Online documents (PDFs, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint presentations, etc.)
  • Podcasts
  • Social media
  • Software systems
  • Video
  • Virtual events
  • Web-based applications
  • Webpages
  • Websites

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Cover a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities.

4.0 Digital Accessibility Committee

The WSU Digital Accessibility Committee (DAC) is a subcommittee of the WSU Compliance Committee.

The DAC is responsible for:

  • Developing resources;
  • Identifying tools; and
  • Disseminating information on digital accessibility to the campus community via WSU’s Digital Accessibility website.

5.0 Requirements

5.1 Applicable Standards for EIT

All digital content creators and publishers are responsible for the accessibility of the digital content they create, publish, maintain, or administer. All newly developed or procured EIT must meet the standards below, except when doing so would impose an undue burden or create a fundamental alteration. Legacy EIT is reviewed and addressed in accordance with Sections 5.3 – 5.6 below.

Departments and University entities must carefully consider and consult with relevant digital accessibility experts such as the ADA Coordinator, Digital Accessibility Coordinators, Web Service Managers, IT representatives, and/or other administrators, before determining that an accessible product is an undue burden or creates a fundamental alteration.

The applicable standards are as follows:

5.2 Digital Accessibility Assessment

All WSU employees who create, publish, disseminate, or maintain digital content must participate in the annual Digital Accessibility Assessment before creating, publishing, and disseminating digital content.

5.3 Website Owners and Accessibility Proxy

The University assigns an owner to each subdomain or website (See also UPPM 85.50 for further information regarding University domains and subdomains).

A website owner is responsible for ensuring that content on the website(s) is accessible in conformance with the standards in this policy. An optional role is an accessibility proxy who works alongside or on behalf of the website owner and is equally responsible for ensuring the website(s) is accessible in conformance with the standards in this policy.

See Web Communications Accessibility Roles and Responsibilities about:

  • Roles;
  • Designating a website owner; and
  • Accessibility proxy.

5.4 Website Accessibility Audit

The WSU Web Communication unit of University Marketing and Communications is responsible for auditing websites for compliance with the applicable standards. The audit includes an automated and manual check of the site’s accessibility and documentation of those findings. WSU’s Web Communication unit periodically selects and reviews websites to affirm compliance with this policy and any other accessibility requirements. The Web Communication unit provides this information to the website owner and the accessibility proxy with additional information about necessary remediation.

5.5 Website Accessibility Checker

The WSU Web Communication unit manages a website accessibility checker for content publishers to check their website for accessibility issues. This tool is to be used with other accessibility testing tools to check for compliance with the standards set forth under Section 5.1.

5.6 Third-Party Vendors, Software, Applications, and Other Digital Tools

Prior to use, content publishers are responsible for ensuring the accessibility of digital content developed or updated by:

  • Third-party vendors;
  • Software;
  • Applications; and
  • Other digital tools

When utilizing third-party suppliers, digital content owners must ensure that externally developed applications, websites, or digital tools comply with the standards in this policy.

6.0 Complaints

Digital accessibility issues may be reported to WSU Digital Accessibility:

Individuals who feel they have experienced discrimination or discriminatory harassment may file a report or complaint with WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR), in accordance with UPPM 10.60 through the following:

For more information, see WSU Accessibility. WSU works to address complaints as quickly as possible.

7.0 Resources

Digital accessibility training and resources are available to faculty and staff at 
WSU’s Digital Accessibility website. This includes guides, tutorial resources, and trainings.

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Revisions:  Sept. 2025 (Rev. 648); Aug. 2017 – new policy (Rev. 497)