SR 06-06 - Resolution on Instructional Materials Accessibility for Students with Disabilities

The Academic Senate of California State University Channel Islands also requests that resources be provided by the campus/ CSU system to assist faculty and staff members in meeting these deadlines.  Specifically, resources, training, and support should be provided to assist faculty in adapting and implementing accessible instructional materials and in modifying websites, including academic program and course websites (Blackboard or other learning management system-based websites), so that they are accessible.

RATIONALE:  The Workforce Investment Act (Section 508) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires Federal agencies to provide electronic and information technology so that individuals with disabilities have access to and use of information and data comparable to that of employees and members of the public without disabilities.[2] Government Code 11135 and S.B. 105 of California State Legislature require the CSU system to comply with the accessibility requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and to also apply the U.S. Access Board accessibility standards to the electronic and information technology products and services that it buys, creates, uses and maintains.[3]^,[4]  Section 508 requires all instructional materials, including websites and Blackboard course sites, to be accessible to the general public regardless of whether a student with disabilities is actually enrolled in the class or not.

The CSU Board of Trustees Policy on Disability Support and Accommodations (Executive Order 926) states: 

“…it is the policy of the CSU to make information technology resources and services accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff and the general public regardless of disability;”[5]

This resolution is designed to provide a mechanism by which CSU Channel Islands meets a portion of the provisions of Executive Order 926 and Coded Memorandum AA-206-41, specifically, the design and authoring of new courses and new course content, including instructional materials and instructional websites, in a manner that incorporates accessibility.