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UW Policy Directory

APS 9.0 Digital Accessibility

Table of Contents

    d

(Approved by authority of the President)

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that University digital content and applications are accessible so that people with disabilities may participate fully in University services, programs, and activities.  

Scope

This policy applies to all digital content and applications acquired, developed, distributed, used, purchased, or implemented by or for the University and used to provide or support University services, programs, or activities regardless of the source of funding.

Definitions

Academic or Administrative Unit (Unit)—Divisions, campuses, or colleges headed by an executive who reports directly to the President or the Provost.

Applications—Software-based tools and systems, regardless of platform or channel, designed to collect, process, store, and communicate information enabling users from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and environments to perform tasks, solve problems, and enhance productivity across personal, educational, social, and professional contexts.

Digital Accessibility—A person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same time frame as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use. A person with a disability must be able to obtain information as fully, equally, and independently as a person without a disability.

Digital Content—All digital information and materials made available through University websites, web applications, or mobile applications. This includes but is not limited to webpages, documents (such as PDFs, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files), multimedia (such as videos, audio recordings, and images), online course materials, electronic forms, mobile applications, and interactive tools or dashboards.

Unit Leaders—An executive head reporting directly to the President or the Provost.

University Services, Programs, and Activities—University programs, services, or activities including but not limited to teaching, learning, advising, research, outreach, employment, advancement, entertainment, medical services, and other official functions of the University.

Responsibilities

Digital accessibility is the shared responsibility of the entire University community.

The individuals and units identified hold the following high-level responsibilities for oversight, monitoring, and ensuring adherence to this policy. Detailed responsibilities are specified within relevant standards or procedures.

Role Responsibility
Vice President for Compliance and Risk Services
  • Owns institutional oversight for compliance with digital accessibility policy, applicable laws, and regulations.
Chief Information Officer (CIO)/Vice President of Information Technology
  • Owns institutional oversight for ensuring implementation and ongoing operations of the technology used to ensure accessibility of all digital content and applications.
Compliance and Risk Services
  • Serves as the Responsible Office for this policy.
  • Owns institutional oversight for monitoring, compliance reporting, and alignment with federal and state requirements.
  • Coordinates with UW Information Technology (UWIT) and other senior leaders to identify, track and mitigate compliance risks.
Finance, Planning & Budgeting (FPB)
  • Leads integration of digital accessibility in acquisitions and vendor negotiation in partnership and collaboration with Unit Leaders, UWIT, Compliance and Risk Services, and other stakeholders.
  • Ensures digital accessibility is addressed in contract compliance.
Office of the Provost
  • Supports the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard by providing guidance on accessible course materials.
  • Facilitates training opportunities and provides instructional support.
  • Collaborates with UWIT to recommend and provide tools and services that support accessibility in course content.
Unit Leaders
  • Accountable for implementing this policy within the leader’s unit services, programs, and activities.
  • Ensure that procurement, digital content, and communications comply with institutional standards.
  • Monitor and address noncompliance within the leader’s unit, in coordination with Compliance and Risk Services
University Advancement
  • Ensure the UW Brand complies with the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard.
  • Collaborates with Information Technology to provide guidance when publishing accessible web and mobile application content.
UW Information Technology (UWIT)
  • Owns, maintains, and updates the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard.
  • Provides operational and technical support for institutional accessibility compliance.
  • Provides institutional training resources on digital accessibility.
  • Recommends and provides technology tools and services that support and maintain digital accessibility.
UW Medicine
  • Ensures compliance with the digital accessibility policy within UW Medicine.
  • Publishes and maintains design standards specific to UW Medicine.
  • UW Medicine Supply Chain leads integration of digital accessibility in acquisitions and vendor negotiation and ensures digital accessibility is addressed in contract compliance.
  • Provides additional digital accessibility training resources to UW Medicine personnel as necessary.

Policy Statements

1.  Compliance

1.1.  All digital content and applications used in University services, programs, and activities will comply with the Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard. This standard establishes the minimum requirements to ensure equal access and compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

1.2.  Accessibility review must be a component of UWIT governance and procurement.

1.3.  Failure to adhere to this policy may expose the University to legal, financial, or reputational risk. Detailed compliance expectations and response are outlined in the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard.

1.4.  Unit leaders or designees for compliance are responsible for addressing noncompliance in accordance with applicable University policies, procedures, and standards. Any University community member who discovers potential noncompliance is expected to report it through the established mechanisms outlined in the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard.

2.  Sustainability

2.1.  The University recognizes that maintaining full digital accessibility requires sustained cultural, technical, and operational change. Implementation of this policy will follow a phased approach that prioritizes high-impact areas, builds institutional capacity, and advances accessibility.

2.2.  Compliance and Risk Services, in partnership with UWIT, will establish milestones and monitor progress toward conformance with the UW Minimal Digital Accessibility Technical Standard.

2.3.  The UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard provides additional guidance, timelines, and procedures for ongoing improvement and risk mitigation.

3.  Education and Training

3.1.  All faculty and staff will have access to general and role-specific education on expectations, knowledge, and skills related to digital accessibility.

3.2.  All faculty and staff will have access to a community of practices to provide information sharing, education, and training opportunities.

4.  Monitoring and Reporting

4.1.  Unit leaders and their designees will have access to resources for monitoring and reporting on digital accessibility compliance.

4.2.  All digital content and applications will have a mechanism to report accessibility issues with the digital content or applications.

4.3.  Compliance and Risk Services will coordinate an annual report to document efforts, progress, and any outstanding issues related to conformance to the Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard

5.  Review and Revision

5.1.  This policy will be reviewed at least annually by Compliance and Risk Services in collaboration with the CIO and updated as needed to reflect emerging technologies and institutional priorities.

UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard

Applicable Federal and State Laws

Responsible Office and Additional Information

For additional information contact UW Compliance and Risk Services.

History

March 20, 2026.

For related information, see:

Executive Order No. 81, Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

Administrative Policy Statement 2.3, Information Technology, Telecommunications and Networking Projects, and Acquisitions