Regulations & Policies

Administration and Finance

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

This Policy establishes the use of the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ("WCAG") 2.1 AA as the standard for making University information and communication technology ("ICT") accessible to individuals with disabilities.

II. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are used in this Policy: 

1. "Accessible" means a person with a disability is afforded an equal opportunity to acquire the information, engage in interactions, and enjoy services as a person without a disability.
2. "Content editors" are authorized University faculty and staff who are approved to maintain a portion of the University’s web presence.
3. A "Functional Owner" is a department responsible for ensuring that a particular portion of the University's ICT at issue is designed, implemented, and operated in accordance with this Policy.
4. "Information and Communications Technology" or "ICT" means all electronic content, software, hardware, and support documentation and services. 

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

1. Standards 
   

   UNF is committed to ensuring that its official ICT is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The minimum accessibility standard for all UNF ICT is World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ("WCAG") 2.1 AA.

2. Compliance 

   Information technology services staff, functional owners, content editors, and each department head or their designee are responsible for the establishment and implementation of accessible ICT. The Director of the ADA Compliance Office is responsible for overseeing compliance with this Policy. All University employees shall comply with directives from the ADA Compliance Office for reviewing, auditing, remediating, reporting, and implementing accessible ICT.

   Upon request, any individual responsible for ICT must submit a status report to the ADA Compliance Office. The report must summarize the efforts and progress achieved to comply with this Policy.

3. Requesting ADA Accommodation

   If a person with a disability would like to request an accommodation to access ICT that they believe is inaccessible, they may contact the ADA Compliance Office at (904) 620-2870. That Office then will take prompt, appropriate action.

4. University Website
   

   University Marketing and Communications is responsible for the content management system ("CMS") used to maintain www.unf.edu, the official University website. The University will facilitate training for faculty, staff, and student employees who develop content for the official website. Functional owners of portions of the University website, such as department's webpage, are responsible for making their pages accessible or providing an alternative when requested.

5. Procurement
   

   Any third-party vendor who will be providing ICT or related services must have an accessibility evaluation prior to completion of the procurement process. Vendors must submit a completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template ("VPAT"). The University will assess the claims put forth in the VPAT and any other claims of conformance with WCAG 2.1 level AA for validity. Such accessibility will be taken into consideration in making procurement decisions.

   All University contracts for vendors of ICT or related services will contain appropriate provisions, as prescribed by the Office of the General Counsel, concerning ICT accessibility and compliance with this Policy and applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The University’s procurement and documentation processes must also contain language requiring bidders to meet the accessibility standards set forth in this Policy.  

6. Exemptions 

   University faculty and staff may request an exemption from this Policy by contacting the Director of ADA Compliance. The requestor must provide a justifiable reason for the exception and describe the equally effective alternative format that will be provided to individuals with disabilities so that they may enjoy the same level of timely access to information.  Exemptions will only be granted in one of the four following circumstances:

   1. Compliance is not technically possible or requires extraordinary measures due to the nature or intent of the ICT.
   2. Compliance would result in a fundamental alteration of the ICT and not satisfy the original intent.
   3. No alternative accessible products are available from other third-party vendors or contractors.
   4. Although the product or service is not currently compliant, the vendor has efforts underway to fix the outstanding issues and has agreed to meet specific deadlines set for compliance. The vendor must also agree that failure to achieve the deadlines is grounds for terminating the contract.
7. Complaints

   Any person desiring to file a complaint of discrimination or failure to provide equal access under this Policy may contact the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion:

   Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

   University of North Florida,

   J. J. Daniel Hall, Suite 1201

   1 UNF Drive

   Jacksonville, Florida 32224-7699

   (904) 620-2507 Voice & TDD

   (904) 1004 Fax

   711 Florida Relay for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing or those with speech impairments and/or limitations.

    

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