91Ô­´´

Bd. Min. 4-21-2022; Amended 4-16-2026.

1. Definitions
   1. Digital Accessibility is the ability of a website, mobile application, or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those users who have visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
   2. Assistive Technology is an adaptive device or software which assists persons with disabilities with interacting with technology. Examples include magnification software, screen-reading software, captioning, and speech to text or text to speech programs.
   3. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are systems, equipment, or processes whose principal function is to create, manipulate, store, display, receive, or transmit electronic data, information, and associated content. ICT covers a wide range of technologies, including but not limited to computers, software, websites, telecommunications equipment, and electronic documents.
   4. Web Content is defined as the information and experiences available on the web, including text, images, sound, videos, and documents. Examples of web content include websites, online academic course content, and web and mobile applications.
   5. Disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; a record of having such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
2. UM System’s Commitment to Accessibility
   1. The UM System is committed to providing and supporting ICT and digital communications that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, and to meeting or exceeding the requirements of state and federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 508 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
   2. We seek to implement ICT that is accessible to all users, including those who use assistive technologies. An accessible IT environment enhances inclusion and usability for everyone, helping to ensure that as broad a population as possible is able to access, benefit from, and contribute to our programs and services.
   3. Our core goal is to ensure that users with disabilities will have equal opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective way, with substantially equivalent ease of use.
   4. ICT accessibility is an institution-wide responsibility that requires commitment and involvement from leaders across all units of the University.
3. Policy
   1. Scope: All ICT operated by the University, including – but not limited to -- web-based communications, software, applications and services, mobile applications, videos and multimedia, instructional materials and online learning modules, telecommunications, computers and computing devices, digital content and files, services, and other applicable and emerging systems or technologies. This scope generally encompasses all technology products used to deliver academic programs and services, student services, information technology services, and public- facing programs and services.
   2. Minimum Standard: for the purposes of this policy, the standard will be the current standard required by the . In addition, the University may choose to adopt updated standards beyond this minimum requirement as they become available, and may incorporate these into future guidance.
   3. Requirements: We will seek to deploy to the extent feasible ICT that has been designed, developed, or procured to be accessible to all users, including those who use assistive technologies, unless doing so would constitute an undue burden or fundamental alteration in light of the resources available to the University. Consistent with this policy, all UM locations must:
      1. Develop, purchase, and/or acquire hardware and software products that conform to the standards to the fullest extent possible.
      2. Create, develop, purchase, and/or acquire web content, including websites, communications, and academic course content, that meets the standards.
      3. Provide mechanisms for individuals to report digital accessibility barriers and/or request accommodations according to University guidelines.
      4. Promote awareness of this policy to all members of the University community, particularly those in roles that are responsible for creating, selecting, or maintaining electronic content, communications, or applications.
4. Exceptions
   1. Automatic Exceptions: Where an instance of ICT or web content would fall under an exception outlined in the , compliance with the standard is not required.
   2. Institutionally-granted Exceptions: where ICT or web content does not fall under an automatic exception and is required to be compliant according to the ADA regulations, but compliance with the standard would cause undue financial or administrative burdens in light of the resources available to the University, constitute a fundamental alteration, be technically infeasible, or where there is no equivalent ICT option available that meets accessibility standards, a particular piece of ICT or web content may be granted an exception from this policy. All requests for this exception must go through the exception request process.
   3. Requirement to accommodate, even when an exception applies: upon receipt of a request from an individual who cannot access the content due to a disability, providing a means of effective communication, an accessible alternative format, and/or reasonable accommodations to that individual is required, even when an exception applies.
5. Implementation
   1. Each University’s Chancellor, Provost, and CIO will facilitate implementation of the policy on each campus according to the unique goals, needs, and resources of their campus.
   2. Implementation of digital accessibility will be an ongoing, iterative process that will evolve as technology and standards change. Thus, guidance on current accessibility standards, shared resources, prioritization guidelines, and training materials will be created and regularly updated to support the integration of digital accessibility into each University’s daily processes and IT environments.
   3. A UM System Digital Accessibility Committee will be created to advise the President, steer long-term implementation of the policy, and foster collaboration and shared resources across the UM System. The committee shall be composed of faculty, staff, and student members, with representation in each category from each of the four campuses. Appropriate designees of the Chancellors, including relevant committees of faculty, staff, or students, will appoint members and designate at least one committee member as a primary contact for their campus community.