Accessibility

As the image and reputation of WTAMU is determined by the quality of information that is conveyed to and accessible by our constituencies, content of all official University websites (all webpages residing on University servers or servers funded by University budgets) must be accurate, timely, and compliant with local, state, and federal laws.

Accessibility Guidelines and Standards

WTAMU uses the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (opens new window) as the primary way to meet TAC 206 standards for state website accessibility.  The Texas DIR made a recommendation in August of 2013 and directed all institutions of higher education / agencies to begin using WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance as the technical standard for new website and web application development. 

WCAG 2.0 covers a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible. Following WCAG 2.0 makes content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity and combinations of these. Following WCAG 2.0 also often makes web content more usable to users in general.

Browser Support

WTAMU supports current versions of Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and Chrome browsers.

Management

WTAMU’s official website is managed by the offices of Communication and Marketing, and Information Technology. Communication and Marketing manages the public facing webpages (www.wtamu.edu) through the University’s content management system (CMS), Cascade Server. Website content is managed by the web communication manager, designers, programmers, and content editors. Specific content throughout the website is edited and maintained by content editors. Content editors are appointed by WTAMU vice presidents, deans, department heads, and /or staff directors to maintain the web presence of a specific area on the website.

Information Technology manages application based pages off the root URL wtamu.edu (i.e., wtclass.wtamu.edu, apps.wtamu.edu, etc.). Certain exceptions of page management apply to WTAMU affiliated websites in instances where the server hosting the page(s) is not managed directly by Information Technology.

Any issue regarding an official WTAMU webpage can be brought to Chris Rea, Web Director, crea@wtamu.edu.

Content Editor Responsibilities

Content Editor Training

New content editors have been trained in accessibility practices. The content editors are given a training packet by the Office of Communication and Marketing with detailed instructions about using the CMS Cascade Server, and practicing accessibility.

Content editors who were trained before 2010 will need to attend training in these practices in order to keep their permissions as content editors. Training dates are to be announced.

The following accessibility efforts are covered in the training. Trained content editors are expected to practice these accessibility efforts.

• Alt Text must be present on all non-decorative images.
• In the case of images on social media without the Alt Text option, a caption should be present instead of Alt Text.
• WTAMU webpages must have properly defined header tags (i.e., <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc.) to make content accessible.
• PDF documents with essential text must be presented as text and not images of text.
• Links must be descriptive, so that they could be recognized if the link was by itself.

Testing

WTAMU uses a service called Siteimprove (opens new window) to monitor and manage webpages for inaccessible content. When content editors attend training, the web communication manager will determine other areas that should be using Siteimprove.

Fonts

All fonts used on wtamu.edu are pre-set and available within the CMS Cascade Server. These font selections were incorporated into the website as a part of WTAMU’s brand rationale. Use of other fonts within the text of Spinternet violates University branding and also can cause displays across different web browsers to be problematic.

Name, Logo, and Symbols

All representations of the West Texas A&M University name, logos and symbols must conform to official Brand Rationale and Identity System guidelines outlined by the University. The logo and other official artwork may be downloaded online or by contacting the Office of Communication and Marketing at (806) 651-2129.

Key Public Entry Points

A key public entry point (KPEP) is a webpage on a state website that is frequently accessed directly by members of the public, which an institution of higher education has specifically designed to enable direct access to official institution of higher education information.

WTAMU KPEPs include affiliated websites (official University websites not managed and/or monitored by either the Offices of Communication and Marketing or Information Technology), and must include the following links.

1. WTAMU Homepage (link) – www.wtamu.edu
2. University Link Policy and Privacy Statement (link) – www.wtamu.edu/privacy
3. University Accessibility (link) – www.wtamu.edu/accessibility
4. University Contacts (link) – www.wtamu.edu/contact

Forms

Consistent with the Texas DIR State Website Linking and Privacy Policy, with few exceptions, state law gives you the right to request, receive, review, and correct information collected by forms.

In accordance with TAC Rule 206.72, any web-based form on an official University website that requests information from the public must have a link to the WTAMU Link Policy and Privacy Statement.

Link Policy

West Texas A&M University is committed to abiding by the link policy set forth by the Texas DIR State Website Linking and Privacy Policy.

In accordance with the recommendations from Texas DIR, the following disclaimers and guidelines are applicable to all webpages pertaining to www.wtamu.edu.

Disclaimer: West Texas A&M University disclaims responsibility for the accessibility, security or content accuracy of information for external (non www.wtamu.edu) website content. The liability of such pages rests on the site owner of the respective site.

Links

Links must be descriptive, clearly identified and must comply with the overall mission of the University and departmental goals. See the WTAMU Link Policy and Privacy Statement for more information.

External Websites

External websites are third-party websites not hosted on University servers, nor hosted on servers funded by University budgets.

External affiliated websites are webpages with content managed by WTAMU personnel on external websites (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, or other external websites).

External Website Content

In instances where West Texas A&M University, or its entities, manage content on external webpages (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, or other external websites) the accuracy of information is entrusted to the applicable site administrator(s). These site administrators are employees of West Texas A&M University and by this employment agree to WTAMU’s values of Honesty, Hard Work and Integrity. Any misrepresentation of West Texas A&M University, or its entities, on these or any other medium by WTAMU employees or non-employees should be reported to the Office of Communication and Marketing, aunderwood@wtamu.edu.

In accordance with recommendations from the Texas DIR State Website Linking and Privacy Policy, WTAMU disclaims liability for external website content.

Disclaimer: West Texas A&M University disclaims the responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information (including copyright violations, slander, libel, defamation and invasion of privacy) on external webpages. The responsibility of such actions rests on the individual.

Accessibility of External Website Content

WTAMU does not have direct control over the accessibility of external website content and therefore disclaims any responsibility in the neglect or absence of standards set forth for institutions of higher education by the state or federal government.

In instances where West Texas A&M University, or its entities, manage content on external webpages (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, or other external websites), the applicable site administrators should abide by the guidelines set by the Office of Communication and Marketing to ensure the most accessible content available on the medium. Questions or concerns should be addressed to the web communication manager, crea@wtamu.edu.

TAC Accessibility Workgroup

To help ensure that WTAMU fulfills its obligation to provide information, services, and programs that are accessible, usable, understandable, and navigable, the TAC (Texas Administrative Code) Accessibility Workgroup has formed.

Through the most effective communication channels available, the workgroup will inform relevant personnel about accessibility requirements; assess WTAMU’s current level of compliance; and make recommendations to administration on how to move closer to full compliance.

The workgroup meets as required to create and maintain WTAMU accessibility policies and procedures; develop or recommend accessibility training; and coordinate testing of University software, websites, and other electronic information resources.

The workgroup consists of one representative from each of the areas below, serving either a permanent (P) or rotating (R) term. Current members are also listed.

1. Academic Affairs: Amy Andersen (P)
2. Accessibility: Lisa Caid (P)
3. Career Services: To be recommended (R)
4. Communication and Marketing: Chris Rea (P)
5. Cornette Library: Shawna Kennedy-Witthar (P)
6. Faculty: To be recommended (R)
7. Human Resources: To be confirmed (P)
8. Information Services: To be recommended (R)
9. Instructional Technology Services: Lora Haasl (R)
10. IT Services: Michael Reagan (R)
11. Purchasing and Inventory: Byron McCafferty (R)
12. Student: To be recommended (R)
13. Student Accessibility: Paul Fenstermaker (P)
14. Telecommunications Services: Dan K. Garcia (P)