Accessible Technology Initiative (Archive)

"It is the policy of the CSU to make information technology resources and services accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff and the general public regardless of disability." (E.O. 926)

The CSU Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) is the effort by the California State University (CSU) system to ensure that information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. ICT includes websites, computer software and hardware, and multimedia such as video.

The ATI focuses on three areas:

Instructional Materials

eLearning model - book as laptop electronic book with various course materials icons.

All course materials including handouts (printed and electronic), videos, software, and course content within Canvas must follow accessibility and universal design requirements to enhance student learning and ensure all students have access to information. Every video should have closed captions. An audio described version should also be available.

Procurement

Paper cartons with accessibility icons shopping cart in a trolley for delivery with hand holding smartphone and credit card in the background.

At CSUN, we are committed to buying the most accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) product or service in the market. To buy accessible ICT, it is important to carefully research and investigate products for accessibility before jumping into a purchase.

Web

Network of web accessibility technology and communication.

Web and mobile information and communication technology (ICT), including the CSUN web presence and mobile app, and web-based or mobile instructional materials are available to the public and should embody CSUN’s commitment to accessibility.

Executive Order 1111 (E.O. 1111), issued in 2018 (and superseding E.O. 926), articulates the CSU Board of Trustees' Policy on Disability Support and Accommodations.

Coded Memorandum AA-2013-03 (PDF) guides ATI implementations across the CSU system.
Coded Memoranda AA-2015-22 (PDF) is an addendum to AA-2013-03.
Campus Accessibility Strategy for Online Education (PDF), a letter to CSU Presidents, emphasizes campus responsibilities to address accessibility within their online learning environments.
The CSU ATI Accessibility Requirements (DOCX) are the compliance standards used in support of federal and state legislation as well as the CSU Policy; these are a combination of Section 508 and WCAG 2.0.

Per Coded Memorandum AA-2013-03 (PDF), the ATI Steering Committee and its sub-committees and working groups provide governance for the ATI at CSUN.

The Universal Design Center (UDC) manages the day-to-day execution of the ATI for CSUN, drafting the annual reports, training faculty and staff on compliance standards, and evaluating high impact ICT purchases.

Quarterly tests are conducted on the CSUN web domain using Cyxtera’s Compliance Sheriff Accessibility Module. Additional manual testing is conducted as needed based on the findings. UDC also provides more extensive accessibility and usability testing on enterprise level products purchased, promoted, or supported by the campus.

Learn more about the laws underlying the ATI on our Laws and Policies page

In compliance with Coded Memoranda AA-2015-22 (PDF) and Coded Memorandum AA-2013-03, the Executive Sponsor for California State University, Northridge (CSUN), convenes the ATI Steering Committee at least twice each year.

Since that steering committee is comprised of executive administrators, among others, and because there are so many units on the CSUN campus that work on or with accessible technology, it is in CSUN’s best interests to have subcommittees and working groups that report up to the ATI Steering Committee, as outlined below. Where possible, existing CSUN committees have assumed these ATI responsibilities. In addition, other CSUN committees include ATI representatives. Learn more about ATI Governance Committees.