Digital accessibility is the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from interacting with, or gaining access to websites, digital environments, and technologies used by UCSC.
Staff from the Experience Strategy & Design team in ITS are available to help you with procuring technologies that meet the accessibility requirements of the UC.
For purchases of technologies that impact large numbers of students, faculty and/or staff, or are critical for student success, or enjoy high visibility among campus or divisional leadership, it is especially important to ensure that the technologies procured conform to UC policy.
Staff from ITS can connect you with an external accessibility expert who can evaluate the accessibility of a given technology before you buy.
- To get started, simply open a Slug Hub ticket or contact Jim Phillips, the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program Lead in ITS.
For purchases that do not involve the Procurement and Supply Chain Services office, you have the option to evaluate the technology for accessibility yourself.
Such purchases may be for local use, only involve a few users of the technology and/or have a negligible impact on campus. In some cases, the technology may be purchased by individual staff, faculty, a department or even via a personal subscription. The technology may also be “free.”
The policy still applies for such purchases, and the onus to evaluate and ensure that the technology is accessible remains.
If you choose to do-it-yourself, consultation services are available to help you through the steps, including advice on how to interact with the supplier.
- To request a consultation, simply open a Slug Hub ticket or contact Jim Phillips, the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program Lead in ITS.
If the technology you intend to purchase presents barriers, staff from ITS can help you think through your options.
- Definition: The term barrier refers to conditions or obstacles that prevent individuals with disabilities from using or accessing knowledge and resources as effectively as individuals without disabilities.
- While a barrier in the context of digital accessibility usually refers to a technology or digital environment that presents barriers, the definition of barrier can also refer to policies or procedures that may be in place that deter access.
Ultimately, if no accessible options exist on the market and you have a compelling business need to purchase a technology that presents barriers, you will need to initiate an exception request, which is more fully described in a separate guide on the Exception Process.
- Takeaway: If there are accessible options available, please consider using one. By choosing an accessible technology, you are helping to create a more inclusive experience for everyone.