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Procedures Supplemental to University Policy 319, Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications

I. Purpose

These Procedures supplemental to University Policy 319, Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications, are intended to carry out UNC Charlotte’s commitment to creating an environment that is accessible to all individuals, and meeting web content accessibility requirements for information and communication technology. These Procedures, which will be periodically updated, are intended to ensure that all individuals are able to meaningfully access UNC Charlotte’s digital content. UNC Charlotte’s web content and services must conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

II. Scope

These Procedures apply when editing web or mobile application content, creating electronic documents, designing websites or mobile applications, creating digital content for University-affiliated social media outlets, and when procuring digital products and services used to create digital content. Accessibility standards apply when these resources are used to create, store, or deliver digital content.

III. Definitions

  1. Accessibility: the University’s objective that everyone within the University community, regardless of disability, will have equivalent access to Information and Communication Technology experiences
  2. Learning Management System (LMS): An application for creating, managing, delivering, and tracking educational courses and training programs.
  3. Mobile Applications: Software applications that are downloaded and designed to run on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
  4. University Information Resource: Data in any form and recorded in any manner and computer-related resources operated, owned or leased by the university, including but not limited to:
    1. Networks and network appliances
    2. Computers (servers, workstations and laptops)
    3. Printers
    4. Software and applications
    5. Thumb drives, paper, etc.
    6. Any other computer-related equipment, device or hardware used to access, store, transmit or interface with another university information resource
  5. University Website: A website created or maintained by or on behalf of the University or an office, unit, college, department, or division of the University. It can also be any website linked to the University domain, charlotte.edu, or a website that directly serves University audiences and is managed by faculty, staff, or contractors hired on behalf of the University. University websites are made up of web pages. For the purposes of this Policy, references to websites include the web pages on those sites.
  6. Web content: The information and sensory experience to be communicated to the user by means of a user agent (e.g., a web browser), including code or markup that defines the content’s structure, presentation, and interactions.
    1. Web content includes text, images, sounds, videos, controls, animations, and conventional electronic documents.
    2. This includes faculty-created content related to courses, symposia, events, lectures, webinars, and podcasts.

IV. Standards for Accessibility

UNC Charlotte adopts Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the minimum technical standard for all web and mobile content. All digital content creators must familiarize themselves with the accessibility concepts identified through these procedures.

  1. Online Course Material
    1. All digital instructional content used in online, hybrid, or technology-enhanced courses, including learning management systems (LMS), videos, PDFs, slide decks, and assessments.
  2. Web Content
    1. All web content must conform to the University’s accessibility standards. This includes content created by third parties under contract or license with UNC Charlotte.
  3. Mobile Applications
    1. All mobile applications must conform to the University’s accessibility standards. This includes content created by third parties under contract or license with UNC Charlotte.
  4. Purchasing
    1. Procurement officers must include accessibility requirements in all digital product and service contracts.
    2. All digital products and services must:
      1. meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards;
      2. include accessibility conformance documentation (e.g., VPAT);
      3. be evaluated for accessibility during the procurement process.
    3. If no fully accessible digital product or service is available, the University must document the reason, select the most accessible option, and implement mitigation measures, including alternate access and remediation timelines.
  5. Libraries
    1. All digital library services must be accessible to users with disabilities.
    2. These services include, but are not limited to: online catalogs, databases, e-books, research guides, and other digital services provided by the University library.
    3. When third-party library resources are not fully accessible, the University will provide reasonable accommodations or alternate access upon request.
  6. Accessibility Training
    1. UNC Charlotte will provide:
      1. regular training on digital accessibility best practices;
      2. access to tools for accessibility testing and remediation;
      3. consultation services through Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Programs and Materials.
  7. Testing & Monitoring for Accessibility
    1. Accessibility must be measured by whether the product or service is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, as those terms are further defined in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
    2. Accessibility issues can be reported to the Office of Disability Services at disability@charlotte.edu, or through EthicsPoint, the University’s hotline for reporting instances of potential non-compliance with laws, regulations, University policies, standards, or other concerns.

Approved February 3, 2026