Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications

I. Purpose

UNC Charlotte is committed to creating an environment that is accessible to all individuals.  To achieve this, the University must ensure its services, programs, and activities will not prevent a person from interacting with, accessing, or utilizing technology because of a disability.

II.  Applicability

This Policy applies to:

1. All web content created, maintained, or distributed by the University.
2. All University websites, web applications, mobile applications, and digital documents.
3. All instructional materials, including online, hybrid, and face-to-face (or in person) courses.
4. All third-party digital content and platforms used under contract or license.

III. Scope

This Policy applies to UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and contractors who upload or manage any UNC Charlotte web content or mobile applications controlled by any UNC Charlotte division, college, department, program, or academic unit.

IV.  Policy Statement

UNC Charlotte’s web content and services must meet the minimum technical standard for accessibility required by Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes third-party tools and platforms used by or on behalf of the University.  The University will maintain and regularly review its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Procedures to comply with laws and regulations pertaining to information technology and web accessibility. All University departments, administrators, faculty, staff, and contractors are responsible for creating and maintaining an accessible ICT.

V. Exceptions

Web content and content in mobile applications do not have to meet the minimum technical standard for accessibility required by Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when any of the listed exceptions apply.  However, the content must still be accessible to individuals with disabilities, even if the technical standard itself does not apply.

1. Archived web content
   1. The content was created before April 24, 2026, or reproduces paper documents or the contents of other physical media (audiotapes, film negatives, and CD-ROMS, for example) that were created before April 24, 2026; and
   2. The content is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping; and
   3. The content is kept in a special area for archived content; and
   4. The content has not been changed since it was archived.
2. Pre-existing Conventional Electronic Documents
   1. The documents are word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet files; and
   2. They were made available before April 24, 2026.

3. Content posted by a third party where the third party is not posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with a public entity
   1. Content that is posted by third parties on a University website or mobile application.
4. Individualized documents that are password-protected
   1. The documents are word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet files;
   2. The documents are about a specific person, property, or account; and
   3. The documents are pass-word protected or otherwise secured.
5. Pre-existing social media posts
   1. Social media posts made before April 24, 2026.

VI. Reporting and Corrective Measures

1. Reporting Accessibility Barriers: Individuals encountering accessibility barriers with UNC Charlotte’s ICT should report them through the University’s designated accessibility barrier notification form, to the Office of OneIT, or through EthicsPoint, as appropriate.
2. Initial Remediation Responsibility: Site managers, content creators, or asset owners are primarily responsible for rectifying accessibility issues flagged within their digital assets or content. This includes consulting with relevant technical support (e.g., Web Services, OneIT, Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to make appropriate changes).
3. Escalation and Oversight:
   1. If an accessibility issue pertains to University websites, web applications, subdomains, or not-for-credit programmatic information, it should be reported to the Web Governance Committee for review and resolution.
   2. If an accessibility issue pertains to native mobile applications or requires significant technical remediation of underlying IT systems, it should be reported to the Web Governance Committee for assessment and resolution.
   3. If an accessibility issue involves procured third-party digital products or services, it must be reported to the Office of OneIT, which will engage with Procurement staff and the vendor to ensure remediation in accordance with contractual obligations.  All purchased or procured third-party digital products and services must demonstrate conformance with applicable accessibility standards.
   4. Should a relevant University employee or unit fail to address accessibility issues after being notified by the Web Governance Committee, in consultation with the ADA Coordinator, the Vice Chancellor or Dean responsible for the unit will be contacted and required to address the issue, potentially in consultation with an accessibility compliance team.

Related Resources

• Supplemental Procedures
• EthicsPoint
• Accessibility Barrier Notification Form (Disability Services)
• OneIT accessibility report form
• University Policy 302, Website Standards
• University Policy 311, Information Security
• University Policy 501.1, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Regulation
• Standard for Responsible Use (OneIT)

Authority

Chancellor

Policy Revisions