Original Date: 6/12/2013 * Last Revision Effective: 12/10/2025
Policy Contact: Vice President Information Technology Services
Policy
Bellevue College is committed to providing accessible digital information assets and technology services with the intent to provide everyone with an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from our services. To meet this commitment, all digital information assets and technology services are required to meet state and federal accessibility regulations and follow the recommendations set forth by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). In the event of discrepancies between state and federal regulations, the one requiring the greatest level of accessibility will be followed. This policy complements other Bellevue College policies covering reasonable accommodations in academics and work.
Definitions
Bellevue College has adopted the definition of accessible used by the U.S. Department of Education in civil rights resolutions with postsecondary institutions:
“Accessible” means a person with a disability is “afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use. The person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as fully, equally, and independently as a person without a disability” (source: Resolution Agreement: South Carolina Technical College System (PDF), OCR Compliance Review No. 11-11-6002).
Responsibilities
All College Units
- are required to follow this policy and its procedures when developing, procuring or maintaining digital content and/or technology services.
Information Technology Services
- will designate an IT Accessible Coordinator;
- develop and lead the implementation of an IT Accessibility Improvement Plan;
- ensure the availability of annual accessibility training;
- evaluate IT acquisitions for accessibility compliance, and
- publish resources to help college units meet these requirements.
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II Regulations
- WaTech Digital Accessibility Policy
- Executive Order 24-05 Improving Employment Outcomes For People With Disabilities In State Employment
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
- Reasonable Accommodations (Disabled Employees)
Revision History
Original 6/12/2013
Revisions 4/28/2015; 12/10/2025
Approved By
Board of Trustees
Last Updated December 15, 2025