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NC State Web Page Accessibility Regulation Addendum:
Implementation Guidelines

“NC State is committed to making all official Web content and other electronic information associated with university administration, services, courses or instruction programs and activities conform to widely accepted Web accessibility standards and requirements.” (NC State Web Page Accessibility Regulation, Section 3.1.)

NC State’s Web Page Accessibility Regulation (http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/campus_environ/non-discrimination/REG04.25.5.php) outlines procedures by which the university will meet its legal obligations to provide equitable access to Web content for people with disabilities. The standards being used by NC State are the Federal Access Board's Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, also known as “Section 508" standards (http://ncsu.edu/it/access/508.html ). The university has made the commitment to ensure that all official Web pages conform to these standards by January 2007.

While NC State's official home page and second-level pages have been designed to be accessible to people with disabilities for several years, many university Web pages are not yet in compliance with accessibility standards. The following chart provides guidelines for bringing pages into compliance, with priority given to pages that will have maximum impact. NC State Web developers are expected to create new Web pages and content in accessible formats.

Those responsible for university Web pages are reminded that they are required to respond promptly and to make existing Web pages accessible upon request to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability. When Web page remediation or accommodation is not possible in a timely fashion, consult with the Coordinator of University IT Accessibility for alternative solutions.

Definitions of terms used in these guidelines:
Immediate on creation –These web pages must be created in an accessible format.
Redesign/retrofit – Whenever changes are made to a Web page, including updates, corrections, revisions, and expansions, the content of the page should be made in an accessible format.
Accommodate – To provide equally effective access to services or information for a person with disabilities upon his or her request.
Accessible – Web pages and content proactively designed to provide equally effective access to services and information for the broadest range of people, including those with disabilities, without need for individual accommodations.


Official University Web Pages
Web page type Description When implement
Official university Web pages that are available to public or authenticated users. All actively used university web pages that provide access to information, services, or business transactions with any university unit. These include pages created by the administration, registration and records, student services, athletics, human resources colleges and other key university units. Immediate on creation, upon next redesign/ retrofit or upon request to accommodate a person with a disability. Must be accessible by January 2007
Less-active university pages General information pages that may be open to the public but are seldom used. Upon next redesign or retrofit. Must be accessible by January 2007

Course Content
Web page type Description When implement
Active course content available to the public or authenticated users and not restricted to a limited, specified list All web pages used to deliver course content including schedules, class notes, exercises, quizzes, resources in any document format (PowerPoint, PDF, LaTex, etc.) and electronic communications (emails, forums,
message board postings, blogs etc.).
Immediate on creation; upon redesign or retrofit or upon request to accommodate a student with a disability. Must be accessible by January 2007
Newly created learning objects or course components. Technology-enabled teaching/learning materials, including images, multimedia, interactive objects, etc. incorporated in course content. Immediate on creation or to accommodate a student with a disability
Re-used learning objects in active courses. Already-created learning objects included within active course content including quizzes. Immediate on integration within active course content or to accommodate a student with a disability
Content, including course content, created for a restricted list Web pages created for a specified list of users (student, faculty or staff) restricted to a particular group or course section and not available outside the list. Immediate on request to accommodate a person with a disability

Archived Content
Web page type Description When implement
Archival pages and documents Inactive web pages and documents placed in archival web space for limited use. Upon request to accommodate a person with a disability

Policies, Regulations and Rules (PRR) Disclaimer

This site contains information regarding policies, regulations and rules (PRRs) of North Carolina State University. To the extent of any conflict between the information on this site and the actual policy, regulation or rule, the actual policy, rule or regulation governs. NCSU policies, regulations and rules can be found at the PRR Web Site.


Last updated: March 20, 2006
Send comments to the NC State Help Desk: help@ncsu.edu,or
Coordinator of University IT Accessibility