UTC Web Accessibility Procedure - UTC Website Knowledge Base

Purpose

This procedure establishes the operational process for ensuring that University of Tennessee at Chattanooga web content complies with accessibility requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable University of Tennessee policies.

UTC is committed to providing digital content that is accessible to individuals with disabilities and usable by the widest possible audience.

Scope

This procedure applies to all official UTC digital web content, including:

University websites and web applications
Digital documents published on UTC websites
Online services and systems made available through University websites
Content created or maintained by University departments, programs, and offices

Accessibility Standard

UTC web content must conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

WCAG is an internationally recognized accessibility standard that ensures websites are usable by individuals with disabilities. For example:

Images must include alternative text so screen readers can describe visual content.
Videos must include captions for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Websites must be navigable using a keyboard for users who cannot operate a mouse.

Responsible Office

The UTC Web Team within Communications and Marketing is responsible for:

providing accessibility guidance and training for web editors
monitoring accessibility compliance for University websites
supporting departments in resolving accessibility issues
maintaining institutional accessibility documentation and resources

Departments that maintain web content are responsible for ensuring that their published content follows accessibility standards.

Content Creation Requirements

University departments publishing content to UTC websites must ensure that:

content meets accessibility standards when published
images include appropriate alternative text
videos include captions or transcripts
digital documents are accessible when possible
page structure uses accessible headings, lists, and tables

Accessibility Monitoring

UTC conducts accessibility monitoring through a combination of automated tools and manual review.

Accessibility issues may be identified through:

automated accessibility scanning tools
internal reviews by the UTC Web Team
reports submitted by users
accessibility audits or compliance initiatives

Issue Remediation

When accessibility issues are identified:

The responsible department or content editor will be notified.
Departments are expected to correct accessibility issues within a reasonable timeframe.
Complex or technical issues may be escalated to the UTC Web Team for assistance.

Failure to address accessibility issues may result in additional review or corrective action coordinated with the appropriate University offices.

Accessibility Reporting

Individuals who encounter accessibility barriers on UTC websites may report issues through the University’s accessibility reporting process.

Reported accessibility barriers are reviewed by the appropriate University offices and addressed in coordination with the UTC Web Team and the responsible department.

Contacts for Accessibility

Training and Guidance

Operational guidance and training materials for web content editors are maintained through the UTC Web Services ticketing system and UTC Web Knowledge Base.