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Memorandum to Deans, Directors, Chairs and Executive Managers - January 26, 2009

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To: Deans, Directors, Chairs and Executive Managers

From: Kim Wilcox, Provost; Fred Poston, Vice President, Finance & Operations

Re: New Implementation Date for Policy on Web Accessibility and Revised FAQ

On July 1, 2008, you were notified of the new University Web Accessibility Policy with an implementation date of December 31, 2008. Units have begun, or in some cases completed accessibility reviews of their Websites. In order to provide campus units with additional time to review their Websites and seek technical support, the implementation date for the MSU policy on Web accessibility has been extended to May 15, 2009. Since the policy was announced, new FAQs have been developed in consultation with the University Committee on Faculty Affairs to provide interpretation and clarification of policy requirements. Visit the Web Accessibility Website, www.webaccess.msu.edu, for the new FAQs, complete text of the policy and interim technical guidelines, and additional resources to assist you in complying with the policy.

The policy applies to all University Web pages used to conduct core University business or academic activities. Unless an exception is granted under Article IV of the policy, all new and redesigned University Web pages published after May 15, 2009, must be in compliance with Section I, Required Checkpoints, of the interim Web Accessibility Technical Guidelines.

University Web pages published before May 15, 2009, must be reviewed for compliance with Section I of the interim Technical Guidelines. Following completion of the assessment process, where “checkpoints” are not met, plans should be developed with reasonable timetables to address those areas. The final step in the review process is the submission of a Web Accessibility Review Form (WARF) to the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives by May 15, 2009.

For additional information on the policy or questions related to this memorandum and implementation of the policy, please contact the Project Coordinator, Karen Woehlert, in the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, at 353-3922 or woehlert@msu.edu.