Accessible Technology Initiative
Introduction:
The California State University (CSU) system launched a system-wide Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) to ensure that each CSU campus follows CSU policy and federal and state laws pertaining to access to information and technology.
Sacramento State is dedicated to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in all aspects of its academic programs and services. The university recognizes the importance of making its physical facilities as well as its information technology services accessible to serve the largest possible audience and ensure the campus is accessible by everyone.
Definitions:
Accessible technology is electronic and information technology designed to be accessible to all, including persons with disabilities.
Assistive technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.
For example, a person who is blind might use a screen reader to read text aloud on the screen, or a person with limited hand movement might use voice recognition software instead of a mouse to control the computer. It is important to design electronic and information technology that is accessible to all individuals.
Background:
In January 2006, the CSU launched the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) in order to develop the work plan, guidance, and resources to assist campuses in carrying out the accessible technology provisions of Executive Order 926 (EO):
"It is the policy of the CSU to make information technology resources and services accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff, and the general public regardless of disability."
Given the nature of this EO, the CSU identified a five-year plan addressing the following three areas:
- Web Accessibility
- Instructional Materials Accessibility
- Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) Procurement
Web Accessibility:
The Internet has become the primary communications vehicle by which Sacramento State reaches its vast community. Over the next five years, the university will bring all of the web pages associated with campus administration, services, courses, instruction, programs, and activities into compliance with Web accessibility standards and requirements identified hereafter. The initiative has already begun an orderly assessment of www.csus.edu and identified the "most used" 20 web pages reflective of a wide range of web services including pages accessed by students with disabilities. The process used automated tools for analysis but also required manual assessment, human interaction, training, and knowledge of software to insure conformity with national accessibility guidelines. The first year web report provided foundation and background information for the web accessibility implementation plan.
Instructional Materials Accessibility:
It is the goal of this initiative to make all instructional materials, whether print or non-print, accessible and available in a timely manner to all learners to meet the accessibility requirements mandated by EO 926. For instructional materials in print form, the University encourages faculty and staff to consider the availability of an electronic version (to facilitate conversion to alternative formats using assistive technology) when deciding on the textbook or any other printed material for instruction, including a process outlining a specific timeline for ordering print and non-print materials. For instructional materials that are in electronic form, such as class notes, interactive media, graphics, and video presentations, compliance requirements would find the disabled learner using tools such as a screen reader or closed captioning. First priority and attention should be given to new materials by including accessibility features at inception, then to retrofitting older materials, beginning with those demonstrating the highest utilization or academic demands. A collaborative effort among the faculty, administration, staff and the publishers, media distributors and bookstores is a key ingredient in implementing this goal.
Accessible Electronic and Information Procurement:
Important to the success of the first two priorities is for the university to adhere to the set of accessibility standards for six categories of electronic and information technology (E&IT) including websites and web applications, hardware, software, Telecommunications, multimedia and self-contained closed products like copiers, fax machines, kiosks, etc. The university is required to purchase E&IT products and services that conform to standards which have been established for each of the six categories of covered items, if such is commercially available and the purchase does not result in undue burden.
Legal Requirements:
Sacramento State is governed by a variety of laws and regulations that impose the requirement that the campus provides "equal and equitable access" to its academic programs and services. A series of recent rulings have determined that the same exact level and timeliness of access must be available to individuals with disabilities. The universal access to information technology is part of the CSU's commitment to equal and equitable access. The CSU policy is premised on the following federal and state laws including but not limited to Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; and California Government Code 11135 of 2003 which applies Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1998 to the CSU.
Commitment:
CSU and campus commitment to the ATI is at the highest level. The framework for its introduction into the CSU system and Sacramento State outlines a phased-in approach. A timeline for implementation of the ATI can be found in the following CSU coded memo:
Considering the importance of this effort and Sacramento State's commitment to barrier-free learning and access to electronic and information technology resources, the ATI Steering Committee was established to prepare plans to implement the ATI priorities.
For more information about the CSU systemwide Accessible Technology Initiative, go to http://www.calstate.edu/accessibility/.
