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This plan is developed to be a holistic approach to accessibility, harmonizing intersections of accessibility and accommodations while maturing PSU accessibility initiatives.

Statement

Penn State University is committed to providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that have been developed, procured or adopted to be accessible to all, and in particular, to individuals with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies.

Summary

The accessibility plan includes the following features:

  • The Accessibility Leadership Coordinating Group is driving and implementing a unified effort to provide accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and services across the University through this Five Phase Accessibility Plan.
  • Developed as a living document that can inform and adapt to the University accessibility policy AD69.
    Note: The latest revision is available to Penn State users only.
  • Provides a clear statement of intent, “Penn State University is committed to providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that have been developed, procured or adopted to be accessible to all, and in particular, to individuals with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies.”
  • Discovers, identifies and implements; definitions, guidelines, procedures and models to be used in the creation, review, remediation, adoption, procurement and maintenance of accessible ICT.
  • Discovers, identifies and implements ongoing training and support conduits needed for accessible ICT creators, developers, adopters and procurers.
  • Identifies an alternative access procedure in the event an ICT cannot be made accessible due to technical infeasibility.
  • Discovers and identifies specific financial and human resources for implementation and operation of the PSU Holistic Five Phase Accessibility Plan.
  • A Phase by Phase Project Plan is developed to list discovered essential elements to manage the process and procedures needed to implement by phase and document PSU’s accessibility initiative.
  • Discovers, identifies and introduces an Executive Accessibility Advisory Board (EAAB) that will be responsible for advising on the prioritization, needed resources and identified exceptions for the five phase accessibility plan.

Definitions

Accessible
means that 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.
Reasonable Accommodation
is an adjustment or modification that allows the qualified individual with a disability access to employment and/or participation in the various programs and services of PSU. A reasonable accommodation shall not fundamentally alter the curriculum of any program, the nature of any activity or service provided, or the essential functions of any job, nor shall it impose an undue burden on PSU or any of its programs or activities.
Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) is an item developed, procured, adopted or utilized by PSU and programs, services, instructional materials, or activities. ICT includes, but is not limited to, electronic documents, multimedia, textbooks/E-Books, library media, computer hardware and software, operating systems, computer or web-based information and applications, cellular and mobile applications, enterprise applications, learning management systems, telecommunication products, information kiosks and transaction machines, World Wide Web sites (including web pages, web applications, and web content) and office equipment.
Disability
is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.
Equally Effective Alternate Access Plan
is a plan that is developed when it is not technically feasible for a created, adopted or procured ICT to currently be made accessible. This plan is primarily for addressing ICT equal access issues on the front end, but can also be used when an immediate access need arises due to the identification of an inaccessible ICT.
Undue Burden
results when a proposed course of action would result in significant difficulty, hardship, or administrative burden.
Fundamental Alteration
is a change to a service, program, activity or unit that fundamentally alters its nature or structure of operation which includes academic courses or technology.

Phases

The accessibility plan will demonstrate and document PSU’s good faith efforts in providing accessible ICT for persons with disabilities. Over the long term, PSU should see improved efficiency in the use of resources for providing equal access to the aforementioned protected class through the plan’s procedures for creation, adoption, procurement and maintenance of accessible ICT’s. What may be the most meaningful outcome of PSU’s accessibility efforts is the development of a culture of access that benefits everyone, not only persons with disabilities.

  • Phase 1 – Discovery, Development and Implementation of Accessibility Statement, Definitions, Guidelines, Resources, Processes and Procedures (begun 2020, completed)
  • Phase 2 & 3 – High to Low Implementation of Phase 1 Discoveries, Process Improvement and New Discovery for Next Phase
    (aspirational timeline – 4-5 years)
  • Phase 4 – Reevaluation of Entire Plan for Process Improvement and New Discovery
    (aspirational timeline – 1-2 year)
  • Phase 5 – Implementation of a Mature Accessibility Model and Continued Process Improvement
    (aspirational timeline 2–ongoing)

Phase 1 Discovery

The first phase focuses on discovery – the identification of what we are currently doing, what we are not doing, and gaps or pain points that need further exploration.

Phase 1 Focused Development & Implementation Goals:

  1. Human Resources
  2. Procedure Development/Implementation
  3. Awareness and Communications
  4. Accessibility Training
  5. Procurement & Adoption
  6. Accessible Development of New ICT
  7. Accessibility Support Resources
  8. Alternative Media Resources

Outcomes

The following items are results of different sections of the holistic plan

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Last Update: May 6, 2024