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Accessible Technology Initiative

Student Resources

  • For ADA accommodation requests, contact Disability Resource Services to determine eligibility and available services.
  • Plan ahead and submit requests for alternate format textbooks and accommodations well in advance.
  • Display a valid DMV placard when using Disabled parking space on campus.
  • Contact DRS to arrange cart service for a permanent or temporary disability. 

  • Contact your instructor about all course content issues, especially tests.

Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration with which you treat others. There are no strict rules when it comes to relating to people with disabilities. However, here are some helpful tools to creating a welcoming event.

  • Understand that everyone communicates and performs tasks at a different pace and in different ways.
  • Review Points to Remember when you meet a person with a disability.
  • Protect and respect the privacy of individuals with disabilities. 

Faculty Resources

The Office of Academic Technology has many resources for creating accesible video, audio, and digital content.  Contact Tom Siechert (tsiechert@csustan.edu) to discuss these services.

These one-page Cheat Sheets contain easy to use ideas for MS Word, PPT, and Excel; Adobe Acrobat and InDesign; Web Content, and YouTube Captioning.
To schedule a training or information session, please contact our ATI Coordinator or Instructional Technologist.

Microsoft Office

 PDF

Email

Staff Resources

View resources for accessibility available to staff.

 

The goal of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) is to apply universal design, an approach to the design of products and services to be usable by the greatest number of people including individuals with disabilities. Coded memorandum (AA-2013-03) and executive order (EO 926) from the Chancellor's Office set forth a road map for ensuring accessibility of information technology and resources in compliance with federal and state laws and CSU policy.

  1. Web Accessibility - The need to make websites, web applications, and digital content accessible.
  2. Instructional Materials - The need to make instructional materials and online course materials available to students with disabilities at the same time they are available to all students.
  3. Procurement - The need to incorporate accessibility standards when acquiring new Electronic and Information Technology (EE&IT) products.

Achieving the accessibility of information technology and resources is a shared responsibility for the entire campus community. Staff can provide support in many ways, including

  • Become familiar with accessibility and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
  • Develop accessible Digital Content: programs, presentations, and documents that are accessible to people with disabilities.
  • Follow Section 508 guidelines for E&IT purchases.

These one-page Cheat Sheets contain easy to use ideas, and are useful training tools. To schedule a training or information session, please contact our ATI Coordinator or Instructional Technologist.

Microsoft Office

 PDF

Section 508 requires the CSU to purchase Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services that conform to the standards established for each category of covered items. See the Procurement section for more information.

FAQs

View frequently asked questions including resources for accessibility.

Chancellor's Office policy requires the campus to purchase Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) products that meet Section 508 Accessibility requirements.  Systems and applications that are not accessible pose a risk to the campus if a student, faculty, staff, parent, or the public is unable to use them.

  • Systems and applications may contain protected/confidential information that needs to be protected
  • Systems and applications may pose risks to our network
  • Vendors applications must be protected
  • Vendor access to campus systems and data must be managed

  • Will this system/application work on the campus network?
  • Will this system/application require additional investment that needs to be considered?
  • Is this system/application already available on campus somewhere?

If the product being purchased does not fully comply with Section 508 requirements you may still be able to move forward with the purchase, however, this will require consultation with the Office of Accessible Technology Services.

VPATs allow vendors to document their level of compliance with Section 508 Standards. Individuals seeking to purchase E&IT will need to obtain a VPAT from the vendor and attach it to the ITPR request submitted in Team Dynamix. 

If the vendor doesn't have a VPAT, full product testing may be required before you can purchase the product. The product usage may fall under a Section 508 exception, however a product without a VPAT that is not 100% accessible will always require an Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP).

  • If your company has not completed a VPAT, what has your company done to evaluate the accessibility of your product?
  • Do you know of any problems or received any complaints regarding accessibility of your product?
  • If you know of accessibility issues with your product, what workarounds have you identified or would you recommend?
  • What is your company planning in the next year or so to incorporate accessibility into the product?

The CSU Chancellor's Accessible Technology Initiative website has complete information about ICT procurement guidelines. Additional information is available on the CSU's Accessible Technology Initiative Procurement Process pages.

Additional Resources

Updated: October 18, 2024