{"id":619,"date":"2025-04-24T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/information-technology\/?p=619"},"modified":"2025-03-31T12:35:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T16:35:26","slug":"clarifying-the-software-accessibility-review-process-at-ball-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/information-technology\/2025\/04\/24\/clarifying-the-software-accessibility-review-process-at-ball-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarifying the Software Accessibility Review Process at Ball State"},"content":{"rendered":"

In today\u2019s digital landscape, accessibility is critical for ensuring that technology is usable by all individuals. At Ball State, the Department of Information Technology has taken significant steps to clarify and document the Software Accessibility Review Process. This initiative aims to support faculty, and staff in selecting and maintaining accessible digital tools that align with the university\u2019s commitment to inclusivity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball State\u2019s Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) provides resources and guidance on making technology accessible. One key area of focus has been software accessibility\u2014ensuring that applications and tools used across campus meet accessibility standards and provide an equitable experience for all users. The university recognized the need for a standardized review process to evaluate software for accessibility compliance, leading to the development of a structured framework that benefits all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball State has outlined a comprehensive <\/span>Software Accessibility Review Process<\/span><\/a> to assess the accessibility of software and digital tools before they are implemented on campus. This process involves two key steps:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Initial Review\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. During this initial review, the DAS team will determine if your requested software meets the success criteria from the major components of digital accessibility principles in WCAG 2.1. This will help determine the DAS team understand the initial accessibility of the software and its intended scope.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. VPAT Review and Next Steps<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. Then the Digital Accessibility Services Office will provide a report, providing feedback on the software\u2019s accessibility and place it in one of the following statuses:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Substantially Accessible<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. Passably Accessible or Inconclusive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              1. Substantially Inaccessible<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                The status of the software determines its next steps:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                If the software is substantially accessible, the adoption of the technology will proceed without further accessibility review. It is important to note that a Substantially Accessible finding does not mean that the software is perfect, as there may be accommodation requests that arise in the future.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                If your software is found to be passably accessible or inconclusive, you will receive a report with the findings and deficiencies of the software. If this is the case, there are two options \u2013 find a different and more accessible solution or develop an accommodation plan that will allow the technology to be used by all students.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                If your software is found to be passably accessible or inconclusive, you will receive a report with a description of the findings and identify the deficiencies within the software. Then you will need to submit an accommodation plan or find an alternative, more accessible software.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                The Enterprise Project Managment Office is a great place to find an alternative software that better meets the accessibility guidelines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                This process typically takes about 2 weeks for Software Requests with VPATS and 4 weeks for Software Requests requiring Manual Review.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                This initiative not only benefits students, faculty, and staff with disabilities but also enhances the overall usability of digital tools for everyone. The university continues to refine its accessibility strategies, ensuring that digital inclusivity remains a priority. Faculty and staff are encouraged to engage with Digital Accessibility Services early in the software selection process to promote a seamless, accessible experience for all users.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                In today\u2019s digital landscape, accessibility is critical for ensuring that technology is usable by all individuals. At Ball State, the Department of Information Technology has taken significant steps to clarify and document the Software Accessibility Review Process. This initiative aims to support faculty, and staff in selecting and maintaining accessible digital tools that align with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,5,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-departmental-news","category-general-it-news","category-technology-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nClarifying the Software Accessibility Review Process at Ball State - Information Technology News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Clarifying the Software Accessibility Review Process at Ball State - Information Technology News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In today\u2019s digital landscape, accessibility is critical for ensuring that technology is usable by all individuals. 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