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Web Accessibility

People rely on technology access to perform a variety of tasks and enhance productivity. At the University of Minnesota, the Internet is used to register for classes, participate in courses, take exams, schedule appointments, submit forms, monitor operations, conduct research and much more. The form and format of information on a Web site can either help or hinder access. It is the responsibility of the web page author to present information in a way that ensures access by a diverse audience — including individuals with disabilities.

Standards

Beginning January 1, 2014, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, level AA, shall serve as the Web accessibility standards for the University of Minnesota.

  • All new and redesigned Web pages published by any college, department, program, or unit, as well as other Web resources published, hosted or otherwise provided by the University of Minnesota, shall be in compliance with the WCAG 2.0 AA standards.
  • Reasonable effort must be taken to ensure legacy Web pages and resources are in compliance no later than January 1, 2015.
  • Web pages, including legacy or archive pages, that are specifically requested to be made accessible as an accommodation for an individual with a disability shall be made accessible or an equally effective alternative must be provided within 10 business days.
    • Information-based pages
    Communicate the same information in an accessible format, and with an equivalent level of accuracy.
    Interactive or service pages
    Provides for completion of a process (e.g. registration) in a time interval comparable to that of non-disabled users, and with comparable effort on the part of the requestor.
  • Each University of Minnesota affiliated Web site, including legacy pages, shall indicate, in plain text, a method of contact for users having difficulty accessing the content.