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Accessibility is part of UCSF's mission

As the leading institution dedicated exclusively to the health sciences, we are committed to providing web content in accessible formats to ensure that online content and tools are accessible to everyone. Learn more about Digital Accessibility efforts at UCSF by viewing the Accessibility is Me video series. This commitment is supported by the UCSF Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Enhance UCSF's competitive advantage

At the heart of the UC information technology accessibility policy and UCSF Web Standards for accessibility is the concept that accessible websites benefit every site visitor with well-designed, easy-to-navigate sites.

As an educational institution, health care provider and employer, we operate in competition for the attention of professors, potential learners, patients, new hires, and others. If one of them (for example, a talented School of Medicine master’s program applicant or their parent) cannot read our application page, we run the risk of losing that applicant to another university that delivers fully accessible content.

New ADA Title II Ruling

This fall, information about the new ruling is moved to a separate page with an additional FAQ section.

Services

• Digital Accessibility Awareness and Outreach
• Digital Accessibility Consultations for Online Content
  • Guidelines – how to meet the criteria 
  • Training – classes, videos, online training, and events tailored to your department, speaking at your team meetings
  • Advice – how to strategize and plan your unique accessibility process, using the resources of UCSF and working with vendors
• Software Purchasing Reviews and Guidance for Accessibility

Policy and Standards

From policy to digital accessibility

The University of California policy (UC) references federal laws that require our web-delivered services and content to be accessible to people with disabilities.

As a public institution, UCSF is also legally bound to comply with related digital accessibility California state laws and regulations.

UC policy from the Office of the President

The following is from the University of California – Policy IMT-1300 Information Technology Accessibility Policy Document (PDF):

“The University of California is committed to supporting an information technology (IT) environment that is accessible to all, and in particular to individuals with disabilities. To this end, the University seeks to deploy information technology that has been designed, developed, or procured to be accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies. An accessible IT environment generally enhances usability for everyone. By supporting IT accessibility, the University helps ensure that as broad a population as possible is able to access, benefit from, and contribute to its electronic programs and services.” - UC Information Technology Accessibility Policy

The policy also references the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in Section B.1:

Web Standard Electronic information must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at level AA Success Criteria. More information about the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) standards for accessibility can be found at the W3C website.

More details at the University of California Office of the President Electronic Accessibility website.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

WCAG is a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The W3C is the main international standards organization for the Internet. WCAG is a stable technical standard. It has guidelines organized under 4 principles: (POUR):

• perceivable
• operable
• understandable
• robust.

For each guideline, there are testable success criteria, which are at three levels: A, AA, and AAA. The current UC policy references conformance at level A and AA. The level AAA is the most stringent and most difficult level to achieve.

Meeting WCAG also fulfills the web requirements of section 508. Generally, web developers and lawsuits refer to WCAG as the gold standard.

Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee

IT (Information Technology) created a team to help all at UCSF meet our digital accessibility policy. The team includes Advisors, Core members and Specialists to create guidelines and resources.

The policy is that our digital communications and services be just as accessible to persons with disabilities as our facilities and programs are. UCSF is inclusive from the core. The technology of the internet, once a revolution of inclusivity, with all its innovations now inadvertently can exclude users with disabilities.

To help meet our policy and values, while innovating to meet UCSFs mission, we offer Digital Accessibility:

• Guidelines – how to meet the criteria 
• Training – classes, videos, online training, and events tailored to your department, speaking at your team meetings
• Advice – how to strategize and plan your unique accessibility process, using the resources of UCSF and working with vendors

The “digital” of digital accessibility, refers to communication that is digitally transmitted, for example, web, apps, emails, PDFs, etcetera. It does not include physical accessibility like alternatives to stairs and automatic door openers. Information about physical access can be found at Disability Resources.

Committee Members

• Cynthia Milionis, SOM Tech
• Terry Giang, Representative for the Office of Diversity and Outreach
• Ed Chen, Systems Infrastructure Architect DOM
• Tiffany Berber, Senior Digital Communications Manager DOM
• Rhiannon Croci, Health Informatics
• Clay Littrell, Student Disability Services, Former Chair
• Michael Marmon, IT
• Michele Mizejewski, Library
• Mike Mullen, Office of Career and Professional Development
• Susan Riddle, Supply Chain
• Judy Rosen, Disability and Leave Administration
• Erik Rotman, Student Academic Affairs and Graduate Division
• Sara Shaffer, Office of Communications
• Meg Cody, Risk Advisory
• Wendy Tobias Ed.D., Chief Accessibility and Inclusion Officer, Office of Diversity and Outreach
• Kyle Van Auker, Senior Video Producer/Director, Educational Technology Services
• Susan Walker, Audit and Advisory Services
• Erik Wieland, Content Management & Communication, UCSF IT
• Jill Wolters, IT 
• Christina Ovalle, IT

Planning Committee

• Erik Wieland, Content Management & Communication, UCSF IT
• Jill Wolters, IT Web Services
• Christina Ovalle, IT

Sponsors

• Joe Bengfort, CIO
• Garima Srivastava, VP and Associate CIO, Enterprise Systems, IT