Accessibility Guidelines

Introduction to Web Accessibility and W3C Standards

Objective

This page establishes Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s (CUIMC) minimum web accessibility guidelines so that content made available through websites or web-based technology is accessible to everyone equally. This ensures that not only individuals with disabilities can access information, but users of any type of device, regardless of their abilities; in keeping with Columbia University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

To ensure equal access for everyone to all content all CUIMC affiliated websites or web-based technology must deliver content that passes the following accessibility standards:

Must pass WCAG 2.0 Level AA or greater conformance.
Must pass Section 508 web standards.
Recommended to pass WCAG 2.1 Level AA or greater conformance.

Responsibilities

All individuals who are involved in the planning, creation, and publication of content on CUIMC affiliated websites or web-based technology are responsible for ensuring that the content they create, edit, or maintain meets the minimum web accessibility standards.

Procedures

New Websites or Web-based Technology Projects

Ensuring accessibility standards are being implemented should be incorporated into all stages of the web project. Any new websites or web-based technology affiliated with CUIMC must be evaluated for compliance with the accessibility standards prior to its public release. If any issues have been identified that are non-compliant with these guidelines, they should be remediated prior to public release.

Noncompliant Content

If a CUIMC affiliated website or web-based technology has been identified to not be in compliance with the accessibility standards, the web liaison or CUIMC organization that manages it has 60 days to address the issues. If the issues have not been addressed with a resolution plan in place, the office of the CUIMC CIO reserves the right to restrict editing access to the website or web-based technology until the issue is resolved.

Compliance Assistance

Sites that have been found to be non-compliant can request fee-based assistance from Web Services for remediation and/or recommendations.

Definitions

Accessibility Standards
Content that passes WCAG 2.0 Level AA or greater conformance, passes Section 508 web standards, and any other required standards noted in the guidelines above.

Content
Any information published or made available to the public or to CUIMC employees. This includes typed information, documents, images, audio, or video.

Content Editors
An individual involved in publishing, distributing, or marketing content that is available to the public or to CUIMC employees.

CUIMC Affiliated Websites
Any website that is affiliated with a department, division, center, or other organization that is part of CUIMC.

Individuals with Disabilities
Any individual who has a physical or mental impairment that qualifies them for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Web-based Technology
Any technology that makes content available through the web, an application, a browser, an electronic device, or voice assistant.

Web Liaison
An individual employed by Columbia University that is associated with a project that uses web-based technology to publish content, that has been identified as the primary or secondary contact.

Related Resources

Columbia University

Federal Regulation

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Accessibility Resources