Preamble
Oregon State University is committed to the goal of equal access to information technology and to proactive compliance with our obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to insure that all our programs, activities and services, including those provided through information technology, are accessible to persons with disabilities. This document contains guidelines for web page design, hardware, software and multimedia accessibility, to assist the University community in realizing this commitment.
The intent of these guidelines is to promote equal access to university electronic information resources, technologies and services for students, employees, guests and visitors including those with disabilities. The guidelines promote equality of access through design standards for websites and for hardware and software acquisition and development. The ultimate goal of the guidelines is that Oregon State University Web pages, information and services be accessible to the widest possible audience, including users of adaptive, alternate or emerging technologies.
These guidelines are meant to reflect the fundamental principles of equality of opportunity under Section 504 and the ADA. Equality of opportunity means more than equal treatment; it means an equal opportunity to participate, obtain the same result, gain the same benefit, or reach the same level of achievement, and that disparate or separate treatment should be permitted only when necessary for equal opportunity.
The guidelines cover the following specific areas:
- Web-based information and services including those associated with courses of instruction, departmental programs, University-sponsored activities, employment, and administration and university services. The specific objective of the web page guidelines is to improve accessibility for all, including those with disabilities.
- Hardware, software and multimedia developed, purchased or acquired by Oregon State University. The specific objective of hardware, software and multimedia guidelines is to promote disability access. The focus is on acquisitions and or development occurring after the effective date of the policy.
- Environments specific to information technology including classroom and general use computer facilities, on-line instruction, distance learning, employment sites, libraries and resource centers. The specific objective is that work environments accommodate all users.
Our University aspiration should be community-wide adherence to these guidelines. Exemptions are applicable in Special Situations. (See section below on Special Situations).
These guidelines are drawn from widely accepted and commonly used standards and guidance. For example, many guidelines are modeled upon standards promulgated under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal law that imposes technology access requirements on federal agencies. Although Section 508 standards do not apply to Oregon State University, they are commonly known in the industry and provide useful guidance. These guidelines are also drawn in many instances from standards and guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an international consortium dedicated to building consensus around Web technologies. Likewise, the W3C standards provide useful guidance. Whenever possible each guideline is immediately followed by a reference to the relevant standard or guidance upon which the guideline is based.
Implementation of these guidelines will help achieve the goal that all individuals have access to information technology associated with administration and services, courses of instruction, departmental programs, and University-sponsored activities.
These guidelines are not intended to and do not create rights independent of those under existing legal requirements; rather, they are intended as a guide to assist the University in complying with existing legal obligations and in achieving the University's goal of creating an accessible, inclusive educational and work environment.
Internal or external users with questions about these guidelines or their implementation should contact Oregon State University's Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, (541) 737-3556, 526 Kerr Administration Building, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2139.