Overview
Digital accessibility at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is guided by federal law, University of California policy, and recognized industry standards. These requirements help ensure that digital information, services, and technology are accessible to people with disabilities.
This page provides a high-level overview of the policies, standards, and guidelines that inform accessibility expectations across UC ANR.
Accessibility Requirements Framework
Accessibility requirements at UC ANR are informed by multiple sources, including:
- Federal accessibility laws and regulations
- University of California policies
- Technical accessibility standards
- Accessibility best practices
- Organizational procedures and guidance
Together, these requirements help establish a consistent approach to accessibility across digital content and technology.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
Public entities, including public institutions of higher education, are required to ensure that their programs, services, and activities are accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Digital accessibility requirements under ADA Title II apply broadly to digital content and technology used to deliver programs and services.
For additional information, review ADA Title II & UC Requirements, which includes links to the ADA.gov guidance on the 2024 Title II web accessibility rule.
University of California Accessibility Requirements
The University of California maintains systemwide accessibility requirements that apply across all UC locations. These requirements are established by the UC Information Technology Accessibility Policy (ITAP/IMT-1300) and related systemwide policies, standards, and procedures.
These requirements support the University's commitment to providing an accessible digital environment for students, employees, patients, visitors, volunteers, and members of the public.
UC accessibility requirements apply to a wide range of digital content and technology, including:
- Websites and web applications
- Documents and PDFs
- Multimedia content
- Mobile applications
- Software and technology platforms
- Third-party products and services
Accessibility should be considered throughout the lifecycle of digital content and technology.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
UC ANR's target accessibility standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
WCAG is an internationally recognized accessibility standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
WCAG is organized around four core principles:
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Robust
These principles provide the foundation for creating digital content that can be used by a broad range of people, including individuals who use assistive technologies.
While WCAG includes detailed technical requirements, most content creators will focus on practical topics such as:
- Headings and structure
- Alternative text
- Meaningful links
- Color contrast
- Captions and transcripts
- Accessible tables
- Document accessibility
Accessibility requirements apply across websites, documents, multimedia, communications, software, and other digital content and technology.
Practical implementation guidance is available throughout the Accessible Content section of this site.
Accessibility in Procurement
Accessibility requirements apply not only to content created by UC ANR, but also to technology and services acquired from third parties.
Accessibility should be evaluated when:
Purchasing software
Adopting cloud-based platforms
Implementing digital services
Acquiring technology solutions
Renewing vendor contracts
Accessibility considerations should be incorporated into procurement and technology review processes as part of normal purchasing and implementation activities.
For additional guidance, review Procurement.
Accessibility Exceptions
Certain accessibility requirements include limited exceptions for specific types of content and technology.
Examples may include:
- Qualified archived content
- Certain individualized documents
- Specific categories of preexisting content
- Other narrowly defined exceptions
Exceptions should be evaluated carefully and should not be assumed to apply without review.
When questions arise regarding accessibility exceptions, consult the Digital Accessibility team.
Standards, Guidance, and Best Practices
Meeting accessibility requirements often involves more than technical compliance.
Effective accessibility programs combine:
- Legal and policy requirements
- Technical standards
- Accessible design practices
- Content creation guidance
- Ongoing training and awareness
Accessibility should be incorporated into normal workflows rather than treated as a separate activity.
Continuous Review and Improvement
Accessibility standards, technologies, and best practices continue to evolve.
UC ANR periodically reviews accessibility guidance, procedures, and resources to support continuous improvement and alignment with current requirements.
Individuals who create, manage, purchase, or maintain digital content should remain informed about applicable requirements and incorporate accessibility into their routine work.
Accessibility Is Part of Quality
Accessibility is not simply a compliance obligation. It is a fundamental component of quality, usability, and inclusion.
By following established policies, standards, and best practices, UC ANR can create digital experiences that are more usable, more effective, and accessible to the broadest possible audience.