Accessibility Guidelines
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.
Related Resources
Columbia University
- CUIMC Web Accessibility
- Columbia Web Accessibility
- Columbia Disability Services
- Columbia Disability Policies and Laws
Federal Regulation
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- What is section 504 and how does it relate to Section 508?
- Section 508 GSA Government-wide IT Accessibility Program
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- W3C Accessibility
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview
- WCAG 2.0 (12/2008)
- WCAG 2.1 (6/2018)
Accessibility Resources
- WebAIM Section 508 Checklist
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
- Free WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 Web Accessibility Scans (cynthiasays.com
Related Policies
- Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises, Locally-based Business Enterprises (M/W/LBEs) Non-Discrimination and Affirmative
- Employment Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment
- Equal Educational Opportunity and Student Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures
- Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures