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ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY

Title: Digital Accessibility Policy
Subject: Accessibility, ADA
Policy No: Adm: 2026:01
Applies: University-Wide
Issuing Authority: President
Responsible Officers: Senior Director, Accessibility and ADA Coordinator
Adopted: 02/19/2026
Last Revision: 02/19/2026
Last Reviewed: 02/19/2026

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth Rowan’s commitment to the accessibility of its digital resources in the context of its education program and activities.

II. ACCOUNTABILITY

Under the direction of the President, the Director of the Academic Success Center & Office of Accessibility Services, the Division of Information Resources & Technology, and Rowan Online, all ensure compliance with Rowan’s policies related to accessibility.

III. APPLICABILITY

This Policy applies to individuals who create, procure and/or implement Web Content and Mobile Apps, as defined in this policy, relative to Rowan’s education program and activities.

IV. POLICY

Rowan is committed to providing access to its digital resources and media to all individuals in accord with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), related implementing regulations, and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

1. 504 ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
  1. The Senior Director for Accessibility and ADA Coordinator is responsible for coordinating Rowan’s compliance with the ADA and Section 504 and serves as the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (the “ADA Coordinator”). The ADA Coordinator, or a designee as appropriate, may, among other activities:
    1. Assist Rowan offices and programs in making their services and programs accessible;
    2. Oversee communication to Rowan employees, students and visitors about accessing programs and services;
    3. Review policies, digital resources, and activities to assure institutional compliance with the ADA and Section 504;
    4. Respond to complaints related to ADA and/or Section 504 compliance made by a student, employee, visitor or other individual to ensure prompt and equitable resolution.
      
      ADA Coordinator contact information:
      John Woodruff, M.S.
      Director, Senior Director, Accessibility and ADA Coordinator
      Savitz Hall Suite 237
      856-256-4234
      woodruff@rowan.edu
      Office of Accessibility Services
      
      Additional Contact Information for reporting barriers to digital technology:
      support@rowan.edu
2. Definitions
  1. Accessibility: The concept that an individual with a disability is able to independently access and use a product or system, including with the help of assistive technology.
  2. Conventional Electronic Documents: Web Content or content in Mobile Applications that is in the following electronic file formats: portable document formats (“PDF”), word processor file formats, presentation file formats, and spreadsheet file formats.
  3. Disability: With respect to an individual: (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; (ii) a record of such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having such an impairment.
  4. Mobile Applications (Mobile Apps): Software applications that are downloaded and designed to run on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
  5. WCAG 2.1: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) 2.1, W3C Recommendation 05 June 2018, https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/REC-WCAG21-20180605/ and https://perma.cc/UB8A-GG2F.
  6. Web Content: Information and sensory experience to be communicated to the user by means of a user agent, including code or markup that defines the content’s structure, presentation, and interaction. Examples of web content include text, images, sounds, videos, controls, animations, and conventional electronic documents.
3. Digital Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps
  1. Technical Requirements
    1. Effective April 24, 2026, individuals and units conducting educational and/or administrative activities with respect to Rowan’s education program and activities must align their digital content with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, Level AA to promote digital accessibility for students, employees and the public. This requirement applies to all Web Content and Mobile Applications, as defined above, that Rowan makes available directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens.
    2. Units or individuals seeking information, assistance and/or training regarding digital accessibility should consult Rowan's Web Strategy and Development Resources and/or Rowan’s Digital Accessibility website.
    3. Academic and administrative units are encouraged to participate in training opportunities related to maintaining accessible websites and Web Content, convert documents and presentations to accessible formats, promote accessible instruction, and procure accessible technologies.
  2. Exceptions
    The above accessibility standards do not apply to the following:
    1. Archived Web Content, meaning Web Content that (i) was created before April 24, 2026, reproduces paper documents created before April 24, 2026, or reproduces the contents of other physical media created before April 24, 2026; and (ii) is retained exclusively for reference, research or recordkeeping; and (iii) is not altered or updated after the date of archiving; and (iv) is organized and stored in a dedicated area or areas clearly identified as being archived.
    2. Preexisting Conventional Electronic Documents, meaning Conventional Electronic Documents that are available as part of Rowan’s Web Content or Mobile Apps before April 24, 2026, unless such documents are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in Rowan’s services, programs, or activities.
    3. Content posted by a third party, unless the third party is posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with Rowan.
    4. Individualized, password-protected or otherwise secured Conventional Electronic Documents, meaning conventional electronic documents that are (i) about a specific individual, their property, or their account; and (ii) password-protected or otherwise secured.
    5. Preexisting social media posts, meaning Rowan’s social media posts that were posted before April 24, 2026.
  3. Alternate Versions
    Where it is not possible to make Web Content directly accessible due to technical or legal limitations, a conforming alternate version, as defined by WCAG 2.1, of the Web Content may be used.
  4. Equivalent Facilitation
    Nothing in this policy prevents the use of designs, methods, or techniques as alternatives to those prescribed, provided that the alternative designs, methods, or techniques result in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability of the Web Content or Mobile App.
  5. Reporting Concerns
    Concerns regarding accessibility of Web Content or Mobile Apps may be directed to the ADA Coordinator.