Digital Accessibility
Minnesota West Community & Technical College is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environment for our diverse community. Accessibility is the responsibility of all members of the college, extending beyond physical spaces to digital materials. By following the principles of Universal Design, we can improve the equitable access not only to educational materials and physical spaces, but to digital content and college resources.
The purpose of this commitment is to outline the standards and expectations and improve the accessibility of digital materials in compliance with federal accessibility laws (ADA, Sections 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act), and internationally accepted web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA).
Scope
This commitment applies to all digital materials created, distributed, or managed by Minnesota West Community & Technical College. All members of the college community are responsible for ensuring accessibility in their digital activities. Those involved in purchasing products or services bear heightened responsibility to prioritize accessibility.
Commitment:
I. Definitions
Accessible: Digital materials are considered accessible when individuals with disabilities can independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services with substantially equivalent ease of use as those without disabilities.
Content Providers: Departments or individuals responsible for creating or managing digital content or contracting external parties for such content.
Digital Content: All written, audio, visual, or other content delivered via digital systems.
Digital Systems: Software, platforms, or systems used to create, transmit, and consume digital content. This includes but is not limited to our website, digital materials and mobile apps.
Legacy Content: Digital content more than 5 years old and not publicly available or used by fewer than 10 people. This content may not need immediate accessibility remediation unless requested.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): A set of globally accepted standards for digital accessibility. Minnesota West adheres to WCAG 2.1 Level AA as its standard.
II. Commitment Goals and General Responsibilities
Subpart A: Marketing & Promotional Materials
Content providers are required to follow accessibility standards when creating new or modifying existing content. Accessible content ensures that college communications reach all intended audiences, including students, staff, and the larger community.
Minnesota West adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards in compliance with federal laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Accessibility techniques and resources are available to assist content providers in developing compliant materials.
Subpart B: Procurement
Any digital products or services purchased by Minnesota West must comply with Section 508 and meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. Consideration of accessibility must occur at the beginning of the procurement process to prevent barriers for users.
Subpart C: Design, Planning, and Implementation
Accessibility must be integrated into all phases of design, planning, and implementation for digital systems. The marketing department, along with other relevant stakeholders, will ensure that new digital systems comply with state and federal accessibility requirements.
Subpart D: Closed Captions
All website and digital spaces that offer video and audio content must include closed captions and transcripts before an accommodation request is made. Captions must meet ADA standards.
Benefits of closed captions include:
- Making content searchable
- Supporting non-native English speakers and visual learners
- Enabling access in noisy environments
Subpart E: Web/Online Content
The college’s website and any web-based platforms must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. For third-party digital systems allowing customization, Minnesota West will make all efforts in maintaining accessibility.
III. Exemptions from the Commitment
Legacy Content generally does not fall under this commitment unless a specific accommodation request is made. Digital Systems and Digital Content not used for college-related purposes are also exempt.
Requests for exemptions must be submitted in writing to the Accessibility Coordinator, who will review and determine whether to grant the exemption.
IV. Awareness and Accountability
Minnesota West will promote awareness of this commitment to all members of the college and community who interact with digital systems.
All employees involved in creating, using, or purchasing digital materials are expected to ensure compliance with this commitment.
Effective Date: This commitment is effective immediately upon publication and will be reviewed periodically to align with updates to federal and international accessibility standards.
For questions or support, contact the Accessibility Coordinator.
Related Docs
1B.4 Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is committed to ensuring its programs, services and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities, through its compliance with state and federal laws.
1B.0.1.1 Policy Reasonable Accommodations in Employment
This procedure sets forth the process to be used for responding to requests for reasonable accommodations in employment based on an applicant's or employee's disability.