I. Purpose
Lincoln University (“LU”) is committed to providing accessibility through all its Information Technology efforts. This document provides guide to the University units and individuals employed by the University to fulfill LU’s commitment to equal and equitable access to information technology. Following these standards will ensure that people with disabilities have access to the same services and content that are available to people without disabilities, including services and content made available through the use of information technology. Information Technology procured, developed, and maintained, and used by the LU community should provide substantially similar functionality, experience, and information access to individuals with disabilities as it provides to others.
II. Definition
LU has adopted the definition of accessible used by the U.S. Department of Education in resolutions with postsecondary institutions. These are regarding civil rights complaints about the inaccessibility of their IT.
In accordance with this definition, Accessible therefore means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services ad person without disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use. A person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as fully, equally, and independently as a person without a disability.
III. Scope
These guidelines support administrative, research, and academic applications, including the following examples:
1. Websites
2. Video and audio content
3. Electronic documents
4. Desktop, mobile, and cloud-based applications
5. Content and learning management systems
6. Email and calendars
7. Library resources
8. Computers and peripherals
9. Information kiosks, telephones, digital signs, and other electronic equipment
10. Classroom technologies
IV. Standards:
Technologies and standards evolve at a rapid pace. LU looks to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, developed by the Worldwide Consortium for guidance in meetings its IT accessibility commitment. LU fully incorporates WCAG version 2.1 as its standards. WCAG 2.1 provides successful criteria for measuring web accessibility, as well as providing useful metrics for products and services that are not specifically web-based. When an IT product cannot be brought into compliance, University units are responsible for providing an individual with disability equivalent access.
Technology Accessibility Needs Notice:
i. Lincoln University of Pennsylvania prides itself on providing technology accessibility to all of its faculty, staff, and students. This includes ensuring that there is equal and equitable access and removing any technology-related barriers. If you have any type of disability or need in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (“ADA,) that require any technology based needs or create any technology based barrier, please contact our Accessibility Services Coordinator at accessservices@lincoln.edu and our Information Technology Office at support@lincoln.edu to receive the appropriate accommodations.
