Digital Accessibility Policy

Overview

Web accessibility is a shared, continuous responsibility for members of the Penn community involved in the development, creation, publishing, or sharing of digital resources.

Adherence to Penn’s standards ensures that electronic content is available to and usable by everyone, especially people with disabilities.

Penn’s Digital Accessibility Policy 

Updated: June 13, 2024
Effective: July 1, 2024

University websites and web applications that are created or undergo significant revisions or redesign after July 1, 2024 are expected to meet The Worldwide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2, Level AA Conformance (WCAG 2.2 Level AA).

This policy extends to any form of electronic resource used for instruction, information distribution, or communication. This includes, but is not limited to, electronic documents (PDFs, spreadsheets, and email), multimedia files (YouTube videos and Podcasts), and online instructional lessons and events (course content and Commencement).

For University websites and web applications created before July 1, 2024, our policy remains WCAG 2.1, Level AA. However, website and web application owners are strongly encouraged to update their sites and applications to meet WCAG 2.2, Level AA standards when making other changes or updates.
 

What is considered a “significant revision”?

Significant revisions include the adoption of/migration to a new platform, modification to the majority of the content, or another change that substantially alters usability or design.

Penn web owners who manage sites that are maintained, upgraded, or updated by external vendors must ensure that the external vendor delivers accessible technology and/or content when the contract is renewed.