UMass Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) is committed to ensuring that its digital environments are accessible, inclusive, and usable for all members of the university community and the public. Digital accessibility is essential to the university’s mission as a public research institution dedicated to inclusive excellence and accessible participation in all academic and campus life. 
 
This policy establishes the university’s standards and expectations for the accessibility of digital content, systems, and services. Its purpose is to ensure that all individuals, including students, faculty, staff, and members of the public, can access and engage with university information, programs, and services. . 
 
Accessible digital environments support every stage of engagement with the university. Prospective students must be able to explore academic programs and apply for admission. Current students must be able to access course materials, learning technologies, research databases, and campus services. Faculty and staff must be able to perform essential workplace functions using accessible systems. Members of the public must be able to access university websites, information, and services without encountering digital barriers. 
 
This policy affirms the university’s commitment to comply with applicable federal and state accessibility laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued updated ADA Title II regulations requiring state and local government entities, including public universities, to ensure that their digital content and services conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA.  The regulations take effect and set a compliance date of April 24, 2026 for the university. 
 
UMass Boston adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the minimum technical accessibility standard for its digital properties. 
 
Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility across the university. Faculty, staff, students, and university partners all contribute to creating accessible digital content and services. Through this policy, UMass Boston establishes a framework for integrating accessibility into the design, development, procurement, and maintenance of digital technologies and content across the institution. 

Questions regarding digital accessibility or this policy may be directed to  digitalaccessibility@umb.edu 

Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility across UMass Boston.

University Leadership 

University leadership establishes institutional priorities and oversight to ensure compliance with federal and state accessibility requirements.

Office of Civil Rights and Title IX 

UMass Boston is committed to equal and integrated inclusion of individuals with disabilities and is continually improving the accessibility of our campus, programs, and activities. The ADA Coordinator can answer questions related to campus access for individuals with disabilities, provide consultation on policy reviews and facilities planning, advise on inclusive best practices, and respond to inquiries related to our campus compliance efforts. 

Division of Information Technology (IT) 

The Division of Information Technology is the policy owner, provides institutional guidance on accessibility standards, and supports accessibility implementation across the university. Additionally, the division supports accessibility within enterprise systems, digital infrastructure, and technology implementation. IT collaborates with campus partners to review and address accessibility issues within institutional technologies.

Division of Marketing and Engagement 

Marketing and Engagement oversees accessibility practices for the official university website, related integrations and public-facing university websites, and social media. Responsibilities include training website editors and complying with accessibility standards for university leadership-level, public-facing digital communications and conducting periodic accessibility reviews. 

Healey Library 

Healey Library supports accessibility for digital collections, research tools, and library-managed resources, and considers accessibility when acquiring or licensing digital collections. 

Procurement

Staff that conduct procurement, in partnership with UPST procurement teams, must ensure that accessibility is considered and reviewed when purchasing or licensing digital technologies. 

Faculty, Staff, and Student Employee Content Creators

Faculty, staff and student employees who create or manage university digital content are responsible for ensuring that the materials they produce comply with accessibility standards.

Departments and Program Units

Academic and administrative units are responsible for addressing accessibility within the digital technologies and content under their control.

Ross Center for Disability Services 

The Ross Center is a resource for the UMass Boston campus community to ensure academic and housing access and inclusion for students. The Ross Center strives to create inclusive academic environments by advancing universal design throughout the university. The center provides academic accommodations, resources, and training in assistive technology, and information to increase the understanding of disability throughout the university community. 

Learning Design 

Learning Design Services provides expert pedagogical guidance to help faculty create engaging, effective and accessible online courses that align with the university's mission and values.  
Learning Design Services also provides training and resources for faculty on how to develop accessible digital content.

Scope

This section applies to digital instructional materials used in courses, including materials delivered through the learning management system or other instructional technologies. 
 
Covered materials include course documents, multimedia content, recorded lectures, whiteboard or lectures notes uploaded to LMS, digital textbooks, publisher platforms, educational software, and instructional materials provided by guest speakers or teaching assistants. 

Accessibility Requirements

Digital instructional materials must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA to ensure that students with disabilities can access course content. 
 
Examples of accessible practices include:

• Captioning video content used in instruction
• Audio descriptions
• Providing transcripts for audio materials
• Including alternative text for images
• Text-to-speech software
• Using descriptive link text
• Creating documents and presentations with accessible formatting 

Third-Party Instructional Technologies

Faculty should prioritize accessible tools and instructional technologies when selecting digital platforms required for course participation. When accessibility limitations exist, refer to section 8 and the Exception and Alternative Access Process to ensure that students receive appropriate access to required materials.  

Guidelines for Selecting Accessible Curriculum Materials

• Instructors should select third-party materials that are already accessible. This includes documents, videos, audio, etc. If accessible course materials cannot be sourced, instructors should consider alternative and accessible materials or remediate materials to ensure all required content meets accessibility standards.  
• Textbooks that are accessible by default or have an accessible option available should be prioritized over textbooks that do not.
• Digital textbooks or materials that contain scanned images of hard copy content must be submitted for remediation. The remediated version must be made available for all students with disabilities. To the extent possible, materials should not be used until they have been remediated.

Instructional Content Provided by Others

Faculty are responsible for informing presenters of accessibility requirements. Faculty must provide presenters with applicable guidance to ensure that course content materials and presentations are accessible. This includes guest lectures, student presentations, teaching assistant-led sessions, and laboratory instruction.

Scope

This section applies to digital resources created, managed, or licensed by Healey Library, including digital collections, research tools, instructional resources, and course reserve materials.

Accessibility Requirements

Library digital resources must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA where technically feasible. Library websites, research guides, and digital services must remain accessible to all users.

Accessibility Support

The library will maintain accessible documentation and provide guidance on accessible research resources and digital materials.

Scope

This section applies to all UMass Boston web properties, official social media accounts and university communications, including:

• Official university websites, related integrations, and subdomains
• University-associated websites representing academic or administrative units including but not limited to:
  • Labs
  • Advancement/alumni relations
  • Athletics
  • Bookstore
  • Centers & Institutes
  • Grants
  • Research projects
  • Databases
  • Community partnerships
• Web applications and digital platforms such as Slate, Canvas, etc.
• Official social media accounts representing university programs or departments
• University communications from Office of the Chancellor, Provost, Vice Chancellors and Deans

Use of official University logos, marks, and brand elements is a strong indicator that a web property falls under this policy, apart from such usage by external news media. Note: Third-party websites for labs, the Advancement website administered through the UMass Foundation, and other decentralized websites will fall under the responsibility of the website's owner to facilitate accessibility.

Website Governance

The official university website, umb.edu, is maintained by Website Services within the Division of Marketing and Engagement. Website editors across the university are responsible for maintaining accessible content within their respective areas. Website Services provides training, guidance, and oversight to support accessibility compliance.

For assistance with web property accessibility remediation or to report a compliance issue, visit Digital Accessibility. 

Other website governance areas:

• Any subdomain of umb.edu must be approved by the Division of Information Technology and the Division of Marketing and Engagement. 
• Where it is unclear, the Division of Information Technology and the Division of Marketing and Engagement shall collaboratively determine (1) whether a web property is subject to this policy,  and (2) the most advisable path to accessibility compliance, with greater deference to Marketing and Engagement for web properties that are public-facing and greater deference to Information Technology for web properties that face a specific segment of the University community. 
• All University-associated websites must contain a link in the footer titled "UMass Boston Accessibility Policy" that links to this policy. 

Social Media

Official university social media accounts must follow accessible communication practices, such as captioning video content and providing alternative text for images. More information is provided in the university's Official Social Media policy.

Reminder: Use of official University logos, marks, and brand elements is a strong indicator that a social media account falls under this policy, apart from such usage by external news media.  

Purpose

The university is committed to procuring digital technologies that are accessible and compliant with applicable accessibility laws.

Digital technologies purchased or licensed by the university must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA unless an approved exception is granted.

Scope

This section applies to:

• Software and enterprise systems
• Web and mobile applications
• Cloud-based platforms and services
• Educational technologies
• Vendor-provided digital tools

Procurement Requirements

Departments procuring or renewing digital technologies must evaluate accessibility as a component of best value during the procurement process. Accessibility considerations should be incorporated alongside cost, functionality, and overall performance to ensure solutions support equitable access.

This includes requesting vendor accessibility documentation, such as a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or Accessibility Conformance Report.

Digital accessibility conformance is encouraged to be applied broadly and will be applied to qualified purchases made when:

• Technology purchases at or above $10,000 per fiscal year, and/or
• Any purchase where a “yes” response is indicated on the risk questionnaire (this questionnaire will go under a review with the IT team)

Exceptions to accessibility requirements may be considered in very limited circumstances where compliance would impose an undue burden to the intended use of the product or service.  Such exceptions must be documented in writing and approved by a department head or higher with appropriate authority.

Purchases should follow established procurement processes to support accessibility review. More information on procurement policies is available at the contracts and compliance website. 

Requesting an Exception

In limited circumstances, a department may request an exception to accessibility requirements when compliance would result in:

• A fundamental alteration of a program or service
• An undue financial or administrative burden
• Technical infeasibility

Departments must submit an Exception Request explaining the reason for the request and outlining how alternative access will be provided. Exceptions must be reviewed and must be approved through the university’s accessibility review process. Email DigitalAccessibility@umb.edu.  

Approved exceptions are temporary and must be reviewed periodically.

Equally Effective Alternative Access

When accessibility barriers exist, departments must provide Equally Effective Alternative Access (EEAA) to ensure individuals with disabilities can obtain the same information or services in a timely manner.

EEAA measures may include providing alternative formats, accessible versions of materials, or other accommodations while remediation is underway. 

ADA Title II Compliance Timeline

 In response to federally issued regulations under ADA Title II, UMass Boston will work to ensure that applicable digital properties meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA by April 24, 2026.

Accessibility improvements will be prioritized for digital systems that support core university functions including academic systems, instructional technologies, enterprise platforms, and public-facing websites, with particular focus on those most heavily used by students and employees in the course of regular university operations.

Monitoring and Reporting

The university will continue to monitor digital accessibility efforts through a combination of automated tools, manual reviews, and internal reporting processes.

Members of the university community and the public may report accessibility concerns through the university's digital accessibility reporting channels. URL/ Form or email digitalaccessibility@umb.edu  

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing institutional commitment. UMass Boston will continue to support training, consultation, and system improvements to ensure that digital environments remain accessible and inclusive for all members of the community.

Audio Accessibility

The practice of ensuring that audio content, whether standalone or accompanying visual media, is accessible and comprehensible to all individuals, including those with hearing impairments or other disabilities.

Assistive Technology

Software or hardware used by individuals with disabilities to access digital content, including screen readers, screen magnification tools, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices.

Accessible Technology

Technology that can be used by individuals with disabilities.

Curriculum Materials

All instructional content and resources used to support teaching and learning in a course or instructional activity, regardless of format, delivery method, or creator.

Digital Content

Information accessed in electronic form, including documents, presentations, images, audio, video, websites, and other online materials.

Digital Properties

Websites, web applications, mobile applications, enterprise systems, learning technologies, and other electronic information technologies (including social media platforms) used by the university.

Equally Effective Alternative Access (EEAA) 

An immediate, temporary solution to provide access to digital properties and the content therein while a property owner’s remediation plan is executed. When there is a known accessibility barrier, departments must create and implement an EEAA in a prompt and equitable manner. EEAAs are not a primary or long-term mechanism to provide accessible content.

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) 

A vendor-provided document that outlines the extent of accessibility compliance for a given software or technology. Also known as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). 

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

International accessibility standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for creating accessible digital content.