Digital Accessibility

Governance

Overview

Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility across UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Governance provides the structure, accountability, and coordination needed to support accessibility efforts across a decentralized organization with diverse programs, locations, and content owners.

Accessibility governance helps ensure that accessibility is addressed consistently, incorporated into decision-making processes, and sustained over time. Effective governance supports compliance, reduces organizational risk, and promotes more inclusive digital experiences for employees, volunteers, partners, students, and the public.

Purpose of Accessibility Governance

Accessibility governance helps UC ANR:

  • Establish clear expectations and accountability.
  • Support compliance with accessibility requirements.
  • Coordinate accessibility efforts across business units and programs.
  • Promote consistent accessibility practices.
  • Identify and address accessibility risks.
  • Prioritize accessibility improvements.
  • Support continuous improvement and organizational learning.

Governance provides a framework for managing accessibility as an ongoing operational responsibility rather than a one-time project.

Shared Responsibility Model

Accessibility is not the responsibility of a single individual or department.

Successful accessibility efforts require collaboration among:

  • Leadership
  • Managers and supervisors
  • Content creators
  • Communications and marketing staff
  • Website editors and site owners
  • Technology owners and system administrators
  • Project managers and project teams
  • Procurement and purchasing staff
  • Accessibility specialists

Each group contributes to accessibility within its area of responsibility.

For additional information, review Roles & Responsibilities.

Accessibility Program Leadership

The Digital Accessibility Program provides strategic leadership, guidance, coordination, training, and support for accessibility efforts across UC ANR.

Program activities may include:

  • Accessibility planning
  • Policy and standards development
  • Governance support
  • Training and awareness efforts
  • Resource development
  • Accessibility consultation
  • Procurement support
  • Accessibility assessments, metrics, and reporting

The Digital Accessibility Program acts as a facilitator and advisor, helping business units and programs build accessibility into their existing workflows and processes.

Decision-Making and Accountability

Accessibility considerations should be incorporated into existing organizational decision-making processes whenever digital content or technology is involved.

Examples include:

  • Website management
  • Content publishing
  • Digital communications
  • Technology implementation
  • Software procurement
  • Project planning
  • Program operations

The individuals or groups responsible for creating, managing, purchasing, or maintaining digital content and technology retain responsibility for accessibility within their area of ownership.

Governance Activities

Accessibility governance may include activities such as:

  • Establishing policies and standards
  • Developing implementation guidance
  • Monitoring accessibility progress
  • Identifying organizational risks
  • Reviewing accessibility metrics and reporting
  • Supporting procurement reviews
  • Coordinating training and outreach efforts
  • Facilitating collaboration across units

These activities help integrate accessibility into normal business operations.

Accessibility in Organizational Processes

Accessibility should be considered throughout the lifecycle of digital content and technology.

Examples include:

Planning

  • Defining accessibility requirements.
  • Identifying accessibility risks and dependencies.
  • Establishing accessibility expectations early.

Creation

  • Applying accessibility best practices during content development.
  • Creating accessible documents, media, and web content.

Review

  • Evaluating content and technology for accessibility barriers.
  • Addressing identified issues.

Publication and Deployment

  • Verifying accessibility before release.
  • Ensuring accessibility considerations are documented.

Ongoing Maintenance

  • Updating content and systems as needed.
  • Monitoring accessibility issues.
  • Supporting continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

Accessibility is strengthened through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

UC ANR encourages:

  • Cross-unit collaboration
  • Sharing of resources and best practices
  • Participation in training and learning opportunities
  • Engagement with accessibility-focused communities, working groups, and professional networks

Building accessibility capacity across the organization helps create a more sustainable and effective accessibility program.

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility requirements, technologies, and organizational needs continue to evolve.

Governance supports continuous improvement by:

  • Encouraging ongoing learning.
  • Monitoring emerging requirements and best practices.
  • Evaluating accessibility processes and outcomes.
  • Identifying opportunities to improve accessibility maturity.
  • Supporting long-term accessibility planning.

Progress is achieved through consistent effort, shared ownership, and a commitment to making accessibility part of everyday work.