CM-0002~UTC Web Accessibility Procedure

DRAFT

Effective Date: April 24, 2026

Objective

Ensure all university digital content is accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting recognized accessibility standards.

This removes barriers so everyone can access information, services, and learning materials online.

Scope

• Applies to all university websites, applications, and digital content.
• Includes faculty, staff, and contractors who create or manage content.
• Examples: department websites, admissions pages, blogs, PDFs, videos, and forms.

Roles

• Web Support Team – Defines standards and monitors compliance.
• Web Developers – Build accessible templates and components, and support accessibility tools and infrastructure. Provides training.
• Content Editors – Create accessible content.
• Center for Student Accessibility – Provides policy guidance.
• Walker Center for Teaching and Learning – Provides resources, guidance and training.

Definitions

• Accessibility – Designing content usable by all people.
• WCAG – Global accessibility standards (https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/).
• Screen Reader – Software that reads content aloud.
• Alt Text – Description of images.
• Keyboard Navigation – Using a site without a mouse.

Procedure

1. Accessibility Standards Compliance
   1. All content must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
2. Content Creation Requirements
   1. Use clear language and structured headings.
   2. Provide alt text for images.
   3. Use descriptive links (avoid “click here”).
   4. Ensure documents are accessible (no scanned text).
   5. Provide captions for videos.
3. Design & Development Requirements
   1. Ensure proper color contrast.
   2. Support keyboard navigation.
   3. Use responsive design.
   4. Ensure accessible forms with labels and clear errors.
4. Testing & Quality Assurance
   1. Use automated tools (e.g., Silktide).
   2. Perform manual testing (keyboard and screen reader checks).
   3. Content must pass checks before publishing.
5. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
   1. Conduct regular scans.
   2. Fix issues promptly.
   3. Provide annual training for editors.

Penalties/Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliance

May include removal of publishing access, retraining, or escalation to leadership.

Responsible Official & Additional Contacts

Subject Matter	Official’s Name and Title	Telephone Number	Email
Policy Clarification and Interpretation: Center for Student Accessibility	Erica Hausler, Associate Director
ADA Compliance Office: Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility	Rosite Delgado, Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
Digital Accessibility Support: Communications and Marketing	Sally Halloran, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Digital Strategy
Digital Accessibility Training: Walker Center for Teaching and Learning	Victoria Bryan, Director
Digital Accessibility Training: Web Support Team	Bridget Hornsby, Director of Web Development

Related Policies/Guidance Documents

• Federal Mandate for Accessibility Compliance
• UTC Accessibility Policies and Procedures
• UTC Accessibility Knowledge Base Articles
• University of Tennessee’s Digital Presence Policy (GE0006)
• University of Tennessee’s Accessibility Policy (IT0006)
• Web Accessibility Checklist for Content Editors
• Web Accessibility Taskforce