Accessibility is a shared responsibility at Appalachian State. While key units (like the Office of Disability Resources, ITS, and University Communications) provide central leadership, all university constituents—faculty, staff, and student workers—play a role in creating and maintaining accessible digital experiences.
To help clarify what that means in practical terms, the following guide outlines common responsibilities based on tools or activities used across campus. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as the project evolves.
When you create digital content…
You are responsible for ensuring that your documents and graphics meet accessibility standards. This includes using sufficient color contrast, providing alternative text for images and non-text elements, logical reading order, and using heading styles and readable fonts.
Resources available: Accessibility checkers in Microsoft, Adobe and Google, contrast testing tools, templates from UComm.
If you manage a website used for university purposes…
You are responsible for ensuring all content on your webpages is accessible. This includes meaningful link text, proper heading structures, image alt text, and captioned multimedia.
Resources available: Drupal training, real-time accessibility monitoring via the new platform, and web team support.
If you use AsULearn or teach online or hybrid courses…
You are responsible for making course materials—including slides, readings, media, and assignments—accessible to all participants.
Resources available: Academic Technologies, instructional designers, and accessibility training guides.
If you embed or upload videos or audio-only content (YouTube, Kaltura, music, podcast, etc.)…
You are responsible for ensuring all videos include accurate captions and that transcripts are provided where appropriate. Video players must also support keyboard navigation.
Resources available: Kaltura captioning features, training on transcription options.
If you produce or distribute marketing materials…
You are responsible for ensuring accessibility in all promotional content, including PDFs, social media graphics, and landing pages.
Resources available: University brand templates, accessibility checklists, and communications support.
If you coordinate events or use forms for registration (e.g., Google Forms, Qualtrics)…
You are responsible for ensuring all forms and registration tools are accessible and include a clear option for requesting accommodations.
Resources available: Standard ADA language templates, event accessibility toolkit.
If you contract with vendors for digital tools or platforms…
You are responsible for ensuring accessibility is considered in procurement decisions. Vendor products must be reviewed for accessibility, ideally using a completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
Resources available: Procurement guidance, contract language templates, consultation with ITS.
If you are a department chair, director, or dean…
You are responsible for appointing a Digital Accessibility Liaison in your unit, supporting compliance planning, and ensuring local digital content meets Policy 909 (Digital Accessibility) requirements.
Resources available: Liaison onboarding materials, project consultation support, internal dashboards.
If you use Salesforce, Cascade, AppSync, Omeka, or other campus digital systems…
You are responsible for maintaining accessible data input, content formatting, and user interfaces.
Resources available: Platform-specific guidance, ODR or ITS consultation on accessibility features and remediation strategies.