Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy Revised

UB Seal on Crosby Hall.

Published August 23, 2022

The university has updated the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy. The revised policy has been approved and signed by President Tripathi and is available in the University Policy Library

Overview

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The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to information that is presented electronically. As part of this commitment, digital content must be accessible to everyone, including individuals with physical, sensory or cognitive impairments, with or without the use of assistive technology.

Policy Revisions

The policy was updated to:
  • Change the title of the policy from Web Accessibility Policy to Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy
  • Add the Designation of Personnel section
  • Remove references to a specific accessibility standard (i.e., WCAG 2.0) and replace it with references to the Accessibility Standards set forth in the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy Guidance document
  • Remove references to specifics about the procurement process for EIT and replace it with references to the Procuring Technology Requirements set forth in the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy Guidance document
  • Add a definition for Electronic and Information Technology and Web Accessibility Liaison
  •  Remove the definition for Alternative Text, Screen Reader, Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), and Web Accessibility Initiative – Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite Guidelines (WAI-ARIA)
  • Add a responsibility for the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and Department Heads to designate one or more Web Accessibility Liaisons
  • Add responsibilities for Web Accessibility Liaisons and the EIT Accessibility Officer
  • Change the title of the policy guidance document from Web Accessibility Policy Guidance:  Creating Accessible Content to Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Policy Guidance; updated this Guidance

Applicability

This policy:

  • Applies to all university units
  • Applies to all EIT, including online content, electronic documents, software, and hardware, whether created internally or procured through a vendor
  • Expects that the university community will make reasonable efforts to ensure that EIT is accessible to everyone

This policy does not apply to individual webpages published by students, employees, or non-university organizations that are not hosted by the university and do not conduct university-related business. Individuals and organizations responsible for these webpages are encouraged to adopt the university’s accessibility standards.

Guidance

Contact Information
Contact Phone Email
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
716-645-2266 diversity@buffalo.edu
UBIT Help Center 716-645-3542 ubithelp@buffalo.edu