IT Governance

Division of Administration

Accessibility

Electronic and information technology (EIT) includes websites, web applications, software, e-learning tools, hardware, online learning systems, electronic media and documents, multimedia or programmable interfaces. 

All EIT procured by VCU as defined by the U.S. Access Board at Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 1194.4 is expected to comply with: 

All products and services utilized by University faculty/staff, program participants, students, or other University constituencies must be compliant with state and federal accessibility laws. Compliance means that a person with a disability can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability, in an equally effective and integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

Procurement and accessibility

VCU is committed to ensuring that its programs and services are accessible to everyone. Product accessibility information allows VCU to select products and or services that provide strong accessibility support and therefore reduce or eliminate the need to provide costly accommodations to work around accessibility gaps.

When procuring IT replacement technology, include the rationale for the change as well as whether or not other more accessible technologies exist. If a technology or service is not in compliance with state and federal disabilities laws, an equally and effective alternative means must be provided.

Evaluation process and levels of impact to accessibility

In an effort to determine whether or not a technology needs to be manually reviewed for accessibility, the level of impact to the university community and the public is evaluated. The following framework are guidelines and still may be subject to a manual review evaluation.

High impact technology may need a manual accessibility review prior to approval once the HECVAT has been reviewed. Medium impact technology with an adequate HECVAT submitted will typically not require a manual review. Low impact technology will be approved without a manual review.

Please note, any technology that is available to the public is considered High Impact.

High Impact

For high impact technology, at least three of the following are true:

  • Collects Category I Data
  • Primary audience is persons with disabilities

  • Impacts a critical program/service (i.e. enterprise-level, student-related, mission critical)

  • Available to a large audience or is public facing (over 20% of current student population or 50% or greater of faculty/staff)

  • Creates significant legal exposure

  • Creates high accommodation costs

  • Denies access to a program/service for people with disabilities

  • Is not in full compliance with VCU Web Standards and Guidelines


Medium Impact

For medium impact technology, at least three of the following are true:

  • Impacts an important but non-critical program/service (not enterprise-level, not mission critical)

  • Impacts a moderately-sized audience, and is not public facing (5%-10% of current student population, or less than 50% of faculty/staff)

  • Creates moderate legal exposure

  • Creates moderate accommodation costs

  • Moderate likelihood of impact for persons with disabilities

  • Is not in full compliance with VCU Web Standards and Guidelines


Low Impact

For low impact technology, at least three of the following are true:

  • Impacts an optional program/service

  • Available to a small audience, and is not public facing

  • Creates little or no legal exposure

  • Does not limit access to a program/service for people with disabilities

  • Low likelihood of impact for persons with disabilities

  • Is in full compliance with VCU Web Standards and Guidelines

Related policies and standards

Related resources