Accessibility

The University’s Accessibility policy is outlined in Purdue S-5 Standard and states that:

• Web: All websites, Web pages and Web-based software published or hosted by the University or used to conduct University business (including remotely hosted sites and software) must meet the above standards and indicate in plain text a method of contact for Persons with Disabilities having trouble accessing content.
• Instructional Materials: All electronic instructional materials, optional and required, must be Accessible. This includes, but is not limited to, syllabi, textbooks, presentations and handouts delivered within the University’s learning management system, via email or via another electronic means for face-to-face classes as well as e-learning courses. It also includes electronic instructional activities such as instructional videos, online collaborative writing, Web conferencing, blogging, etc.
• Documents: All University produced, maintained or distributed electronic documents must be Accessible. This includes, but is not limited to, word processing documents, PDFs, presentations, publications and spreadsheets that are scanned, uploaded, posted or otherwise published or distributed electronically.
• Electronic Media: All electronic multimedia resources used by the University for instruction, communication, marketing, promotion or other academic or business purposes must be Accessible. Video must be closed-captioned and audio-described and audio resources must be transcribed.
• Software, Hardware and IT Systems: All software, hardware and IT systems used for academic and research purposes, administrative and business purposes, and customer service must be Accessible and produce Accessible products or content, which includes compatibility with assistive technology. Software, hardware and IT systems include, but are not limited to, learning management, content management, library systems, email, human resources administration, financial systems, course or event registration, freeware, shareware, enterprise systems and online or remotely hosted software.
• Procurement/Purchases: The University will purchase electronic products and solutions, including, but not limited to, software, operating systems, Web-based applications, video and multimedia, that meet or exceed the above Accessibility standards. The University recommends that all requests for proposals from and contracts with vendors include language that outlines this requirement and provides stipulations for how the vendor is expected to demonstrate compliance.

Colleges, Schools, Departments, Programs and Units

• Ensure compliance with this standard.
• Purchase and produce only Accessible Electronic Information, Communication and Technology and update existing media, content and systems as they are put into use.
• Ensure that departmentally owned or managed classrooms and labs are equipped with IT resources that are capable of delivering Accessible Electronic Information, Communication and Technology and are compatible with assistive technology.
• Ensure that all hardware, software, applications, systems, video and multimedia purchased or developed by the unit are Accessible and, as applicable, compatible with assistive technology.
• Promptly, upon request by a Person with a Disability, provide Web content published prior to March 15, 2010, or maintained as an archived page in an Accessible format.
• Submit to the campus Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer a written request for an exception in the event it is not technically possible or may require extraordinary measures to make specific Electronic Information, Communication and Technology Accessible.

Faculty

• Comply with this standard.
• Create and present Accessible instructional materials.
• Use only Accessible Electronic Information, Communication and Technology to create, deliver and present instructional material and to conduct course related work.
• Promptly, upon request by a Person with a Disability, provide in an Accessible format Web content used in conjunction with his or her University duties that was published prior to March 15, 2010, or is maintained as an archived page.
• Submit to the campus Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer a written request for an exception in the event it is not technically possible or may require extraordinary measures to make specific Electronic Information, Communication and Technology Accessible.

Staff

• Comply with this standard.
• Create and use only Accessible Electronic Information, Communication and Technology when conducting University business.
• Submit to the campus Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer a written request for an exception in the event it is not technically possible or may require extraordinary measures to make specific Electronic Information, Communication and Technology Accessible.

The Purdue S-5 Policy outlines what this standard as follows:

This standard establishes minimum requirements for the accessibility of Electronic Information, Communication and Technology necessary to meet the University’s goals and ensure compliance with applicable law. The University will meet the standards and guidelines outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA for all Web-based Electronic Information, Communication, and Technology. Further, it will follow the Guidance on Applying WCAG 2.0 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (WCAG2ICT).

• Guides and resources for making Word accessible
• Video Training Guides
• Accessible Templates

• Follow this guide for Powerpoint 2016
• Video Training Guides
• Accessible Templates

• Follow this guide for Excel 2010/13/16
• Video Training Guides
• Accessible Templates

• Follow this guide to create accessible emails in Outlook
• Video Training Guides