Digital Accessibility Policy

Policy Category	Issuing Authority	Responsibility	Publication Date	Next Review Date
Policy CategoryEquity & Access	Issuing AuthorityPresident	ResponsibilityOffice of Equity & Access	Publication Date11/18/2022	Next Review Date11/18/2025

Policy Statement/Background:

Scope

This policy applies to our campus community (i.e.: students, faculty, staff, vendors/third parties, etc.) and individuals affiliated with Stony Brook University West Campus, Research & Development Park, Stony Brook Southampton, Stony Brook University Hospital, the HSC, and the Long Island State Veterans Home.

Policy:

In furtherance of our commitment to inclusivity and environments that are free from discrimination, the University will deliver Electronic and Information Technologies (EIT) (i.e., digital content and information technology resources) in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities. All electronic materials and content adopted or revised 6 months after the effective date (July 1, 2022), must be digitally accessible, which includes but is not limited to: course content, email messages, websites, web and mobile applications, services, etc. All Stony Brook University divisions and departments must ensure digital accessibility within their procurement, implementation, or use of EIT and the development of digital content.

Digital Accessibility Program

In furtherance of this policy and SUNY's EIT Accessibility Policy, the University has established a Digital Accessibility Program ("Program"). The Program is designed to establish a culture of accessibility and inclusivity across our entire digital landscape, and is focused on implementing the University's EIT Accessibility Plan.

The Program is supported by key stakeholders who serve on the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee (DASC). The DASC, which is chaired by the University's Web Accessibility Officer (WAO), will support the Program by:

Continuously monitoring the implementation of the University's EIT accessibility plan and making recommendations for improvements.
Reviewing proposed university-wide policy and procedures.
Adopting standards and establishing metrics by which accessibility will be measured.
Developing, purchasing, hosting, and/or acquiring, to the extent feasible, web pages, websites, hardware and software products, and services accessible to persons with disabilities.
Advising on educating all employees of their responsibility to create and support an accessible digital experience.
Addressing emerging campus challenges as they arise.

Compliance

All members of the campus community play a role in making our online environment accessible to all. The following expectations are also in place:

The President, Provost, and senior leadership team is responsible for ensuring that the requirements set out by the Program are implemented and supported across all University programs and services.
Deans, Chairs, and Directors are responsible for ensuring that resources needed to meet the requirements of the Program are available and that effective oversight is conducted to ensure compliance within their division or department.
All Stony Brook University divisions and departments must ensure digital accessibility within their procurement, implementation, or use of EIT and the development of digital content.
The WAO, under the direction of the ADA Coordinator (or their designee), is responsible for overseeing all University compliance efforts related to EIT accessibility. This includes all SUNY-related reporting obligations. The WAO will also provide assistance to help individuals understand how to make EIT accessible.
Completion of training offered through OEA and partner offices.

Responsible Partner Offices

The following are Responsible Partner Offices:

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)
Division of Information Technology
Office of Marketing & Communications
Procurement Office

Definitions:

Digital Accessibility: individuals with disabilities are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same timeframe as individuals without disabilities, with substantially equivalent ease of use.
Digital Accessibility Program: the "program" established by Stony Brook University's EIT Accessibility Plan. The program will enable the university to adapt to evolving accessibility standards or the use of emerging technologies while ensuring full inclusion and effective communication for persons with disabilities.
Digital Content: information which is presented electronically. Digital Content includes but is not limited to: Documents, images, audio, and video material.
Disability: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Disabilities may be permanent, episodic, or temporary in nature.
Electronic and Information Technologies (EIT): information technology and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. EIT includes, but is not limited to: information resources such as the internet and intranet websites, content delivered in digital form, search engines, and databases, learning management systems, classroom technologies; web, computer, and mobile-based applications allowing for interaction between software and users; and services employing information technology and telecommunications equipment.
Responsible Partner Office: an office whose responsibilities and expertise are aligned with the administration of the Digital Accessibility Policy. Responsible Partner offices play a key role in the implementation of our Digital Accessibility Plan.

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Office of Equity and Access
201 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-6280
oea@stonybrook.edu
digital_accessibility@stonybrook.edu