Michigan State University is committed to accessibility on all levels. As we move toward a higher degree of dependence on the web to access programs, services, businesses, and activities, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that content is accessible to the broadest possible audience.
MSU departments, employees, faculty, and instructors are being asked to update web pages, online course materials, e-texts, PDFs, and any online content that is used for business and academic activities to meet the current MSU Web Accessibility Policy which includes Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Conformance Level AA.
Commitment to accessibility
The first iteration of the MSU Web Accessibility Policy was passed in 2009. The 2014 updates to the Policy now encompass WCAG 2.0 AA, as the federal standards have evolved.
The Web Accessibility Working Group, comprised of professionals from around MSU, updated the Web Accessibility website (webaccess.msu.edu) with new Policy information, tutorials, links to training, and resources to help with compliance, including guides for Getting Started.
Web content evaluations
Departments are being asked to appoint a Web Accessibility liaison and conduct accessibility evaluations of their current websites and content posted on sites, like documents and presentations. This also includes web applications and all forms of electronic or digital communications.
IT staff, web professionals, and communication employees may need to work together to update content that doesn’t meet the Policy or Technical Guidelines.
More information about compliance and remediation report requirements will be coming in the future to aid in accessibility evaluations.
Support
Options for help with WCAG 2.0 compliance include:
- Accessibility tutorials on the MSU Web Accessibility site.
- Classes and workshop on web accessibility from the training opportunities courses listed in EBS on the ESS tab.
- Website and document accessibility evaluations through MSU Usability/Accessibility Research and Consulting (for a fee).
If you have general questions or suggestions, please call IT Services Support Desk at (517) 432-6200 or email itserve@msu.edu.
