Following months of constructive discussion and community input, the Chancellor’s Executive Team has approved a new University policy governing information technology accessibility. The Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Policy—which will be published and go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018—affirms the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“This policy will support the University’s ongoing and steadfast effort to enhance accessibility across campus,” Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Samuel J. Scozzafava Jr. says. “Through improved technology and increased education, we hope to remove as many barriers as we can for individuals with disabilities. Each member of our campus community plays an important role in our efforts to enhance accessibility. We must all prioritize accessibility and leverage universal design as we update and create new web content, classroom materials and many other forms of digital content.”
Since April 2015, a broad-based University committee has been working to develop the policy, and in 2016, the Chancellor’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion formally recommended adoption of a comprehensive policy. The policy was crafted with input from students, faculty, staff and senior leaders through direct outreach and a formal open comment period.
The new policy ensures that information and communication technologies used on campus are accessible to all members of the University community. It also requires that services, products and content acquired or created by the University on or after Jan. 1, 2018, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, pursuant to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA standards.
Additionally, a new cross-campus working group has been created to develop a comprehensive remediation plan in response to a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The working group is charged with assessing the University’s technology and current web properties. Like many other universities and colleges that have received OCR complaints, the University is working closely with OCR to remediate barriers to existing content and to put processes in place to ensure future content is fully accessible and compliant.
For more information on technology accessibility on campus, visit http://itsaccessibility.syr.edu/. To contact the ITS Accessibility Team, email accessibleIT@syr.edu or call 315.443.2677.
The earliest memories Scott Tainsky has involve playing sports and watching the golden age of Big East Conference basketball with stars like Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin and Syracuse University star Pearl Washington. Now, as a father of two children who play…
The latest recipient of the Maxwell School’s Cramer Horizon Award has embodied the ideals of its namesakes, Gerald ’52, H’10 and Daphna Cramer, through his professional endeavors, philanthropy and commitment to engaged citizenship. Throughout his remarkable career, honoree Elliot J….
The Whitman School received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight into Academia magazine, a measure of an institution’s individual programs and initiatives that significantly advance the core values of inclusive excellence and belonging through programs,…
Campus Planning, Design and Construction, CenTrio Energy, and local contractors are continuing their work on the campus steam distribution system in the West Campus area. To continue necessary sidewalk replacements along the east boundary of the Raynor Avenue lot, the…
As institutions of higher education adapt to rapid changes and evolving student needs across the country, alumni, parents and donors of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management have responded with record-setting philanthropic support and engagement. Their historic commitment continues…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
