The University of California has recently proposed a systemwide Policy on Accessibility in the Electronic Environment to formally acknowledge UC's commitment to accessibility for all students, faculty, staff, and members of the public. This new policy requires implementation of technical standards for website accessibility, and provides recommendations for resources and tools that are useful for making web content accessible. Current policies are insufficient as they only recommend, but do not mandate, conformance with federal Rehabilitation Act Section 508 standards for websites and web-based applications. This policy brings UC's electronic communications in line with its principles and peers, and with state and federal laws.
Accessible web design is not only a disability issue, as important as that is, but a benefit to all users. Implementation of the policy and guidelines will increase usability for everyone because it emphasizes strong, practical, standards-based design, clear and consistent organization and navigation, and concise writing. These hallmarks of excellent websites will support Berkeley's leadership in the higher education community.
The Berkeley campus has been in the forefront of UC's work on web accessibility. The working group called WebAccess, sponsored by Shelton Waggener, the associate vice chancellor for IT and chief information officer, and consisting of faculty and staff who support and consult with campus web developers, developed recommendations for the systemwide accessibility initiative. The new accessibility policy, founded on work initiated by the WebAccess workgroup, was introduced by AVC–IT & CIO Waggener to the UC IT Leadership Council (ITLC), which now sponsors this new systemwide policy.
The initial focus for implementing the new proposed accessibility standards will be website and application design and development as defined in the 1998 Amendment to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. The UC accessibility policy is accompanied by a set of guidelines that define a five-year phased timeline, beginning with new and redesigned websites, and then moving in sequence to departmental websites, administrative websites and applications, and instructional websites. Each campus will establish a committee to oversee the planning and implementation strategy, including:
- Criteria for successful transition and oversight
- Evaluation of current sites and applications, including consultation and support services
- Prioritization and a timeline that makes sense for each campus
- Communication strategy and training opportunities
As of this writing, the draft policy is open to review; comments can be sent to by October 26, 2007. It is expected that the policy will be adopted and enter an implementation planning phase by the end of 2007. More information about the proposed policy and the accompanying guidelines can be found on the Electronic Accessibility at the University of California website.
For more information about accessibility, the policy and guidelines, and efforts at UC Berkeley, please contact Karen Eft, IT policy manager in the Office of the Chief Information Officer,