Shepherd University values accessibility and plans to be in full compliance with the law. Everyone creating content related to the offerings and functions of the university must ensure that their digital materials meet minimum accessibility requirements as required by ADA Title II. This includes making sure that Shepherd University websites, applications, IT services, online content, digital documents, presentations, and online learning materials are accessible.
Faculty/Staff
Instructional Content
Title II requires that all Shepherd University course content meet WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines by April 24, 2027. This includes third-party content. For example, if you link to or embed a YouTube video in your course, that video should include correct captions or a transcript with audio description. This applies even if you are not the owner of the video. Archived reference content, like courses from previous semesters, may be exempt from compliance. However, if you reuse content in a new course, it must be made accessible.
Administrative Content
All digital content created for university business must be accessible by April 24, 2027. Ideally, everyone who creates or maintains digital content will make that content accessible, but some units may centralize accessibility work. Work advise working with your team, department, or unit to clarify responsibilities. Staff who procure content, like training courses, websites, platforms, software, or apps, must ensure that content is accessible during the procurement process.
Students
If you create digital content for University business, that content must be accessible by April 24, 2027. As a student, University business may include work you perform in a student job or content you create for a University-sponsored student organization or club. You are not required to make your schoolwork or personal content accessible.
For example, if you have a work-study job creating social media posts for a department, those social media posts must be accessible and meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Ask your supervisor to clarify any responsibilities you have as you create and post content. You do not have to retroactively make old posts accessible. Or, if you maintain a website for a University-sponsored student organization that is registered with Shepherd University Student Activities and Leadership , that web content will need to meet accessibility requirements. If you create or maintain that content, you are responsible for making it accessible.
PLEASE NOTE: We are actively working to provide additional support to faculty, staff and students to meet current accessibility standards. Additional resources are being developed and will be added to our Digital Accessibility webpage as they are made available for use.
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