UCR Guidelines

Introduction
The mission and values of the UC require the adoption, deployment, development, and procurement of Information Technology (IT) that is Accessible. To ensure the UC upholds these obligations and complies with federal law, University Policy IMT-1300 requires each campus to adopt an IT Accessibility Policy Program (ITAPP), processes, and standards. 

Defining Information Technology (IT)
As we implement our guidelines for digital accessibility, we refer interchangeably to digital content and information technology. The UC policy defines “Information Technology” as:

A range of technologies to acquire, create, display, process, and share information. These tools and resources include, but are not limited to:

• The internet (e.g., websites, web applications, emails, online surveys, social media, webcasting, and all content delivered in digital format); 
• Software, including Software as a Service; 
• Learning Management Systems (LMS), including instructional software  and LTIs (learning tools interoperability), and content that faculty and other educational teams provide or make available, e-courses, edtech; 
• Recorded broadcasting technologies (including podcasts and/or video livestreams); 
• Mobile applications; and 
• Electronic documents (e.g., Box Docs, Excel spreadsheets, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, portable document format files (PDFs), PowerPoint presentations, Word documents). 

The definition of IT excludes the following:

• Content posted by any third party unless the content is posted or made available by a Location due to the third party's contractual, licensing, or  other arrangements with the University; 
• Archived Content; and 
• UC social media posts that were posted before April 24, 2026.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee: Comprising staff, faculty, and students with a broad range of expertise, this committee supports UCR’s implementation of the UC policy. 
• Campus Leadership: The Associate Provost is the lead for coordinating policy implementation at UCR. 
• Web Accessibility Group (Webmasters and Digital Accessibility Liaisons): Convened by Information Technology Solutions, this group meets regularly to monitor progress toward website remediation. This group also includes designated liaisons for each unit who assist in cascading information.
• XCITE Center for Teaching and Learning: XCITE is leading the way for creating and remediating courses with accessible digital content.
• Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Disability Inclusion (CACDI): This group examines issues and improves conditions in disability infrastructure, policies, and climate.

Procurement
UCR Procurement and Information Technology Solutions (ITS) will verify that suppliers have documentation of meeting the Accessibility Standard. The UC Procurement Accessibility Questionnaire (pdf) is a helpful tool for campus partners who are working with potential suppliers.

Course Content
UCR’s learning management system (Canvas) is our most-viewed digital platform. UCR has procured software from UDOIT that integrates with Canvas and facilitates content remediation. These resource guides from XCITE provide information on improving the accessibility of Canvas courses.

The Provost’s Office is temporarily funding remediation assistance that will be provided by trained personnel in XCITE. Instructors of record for Spring 2026 who would like to request help for remediating Spring 2026 Canvas content may use this XCITE remediation request form to sign up.

Software/Web Development
ITS is responsible for ensuring that all developed IT meets the Accessibility Standard, including providing training for technical staff and content editors, archiving and deleting unnecessary inaccessible content, and remediating existing inaccessible IT.

Prioritization Process
ITS and the Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee have developed the following prioritization plan for remediating inaccessible IT resources:

• Are public-facing
• UC Community members are required to use 
• Have large numbers of known users with disabilities; 
• Have critical features with known Accessibility defects; 
• Receive high traffic, based on page view reports
• Procured resources that do not include conformance with the Accessibility Standard in the contract 
• Are undergoing a Material Alteration. 

Training Process
In addition to UC-wide training courses that will be available at a later date, UCR is providing a suite of resource pages, along with slide decks, a general training course, and many specific Siteimprove courses.

Exceptions Process
UCR may approve an exception to the Accessibility Standard in rare cases. Exception requests require the completion of an online exception request form, signed and submitted by the department/unit head of the department that would like to procure or has developed the Inaccessible IT. This process includes developing an Equally Effective Alternative Accommodation Plan (EEAAP) and remediation plan. The Associate Provost will review and approve requests from academic units, and the Associate Chancellor will review and approve requests from non-academic units.

Reporting and Complaint Process
Individuals with disabilities may request remediation of Inaccessible IT, report Accessibility issues, and/or file complaints regarding Inaccessible IT. Reports received are reviewed by the Office of Civil Rights and the ADA/504 Coordinator, and others with subject-matter expertise and who are not responsible for the Inaccessible IT.

Progress Monitoring
The Digital Accessibility Advisory Committee and ITS staff will lead the annual reporting process to the UC systemwide Vice President for Information Technology Services.