Law / United States / 
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin System policy on the accessibility of web content and mobile applications
UW System Administrative Policy SYS 655
An accessibility requirements rule binding government bodies.
- Obligation class
- Governance
- Conformance standard
- WCAG 2.1 AA
What it requires
- If you are a University of Wisconsin System institution, provide web content and mobile apps that conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, unless that would require a modification so significant that it alters the essential nature of the program, service or activity, or would cause significant difficulty or expense, as the chancellor or designee determines; the policy takes effect (UW System Administrative Policy SYS 655, section 6).
- Archived web content, preexisting conventional electronic documents, content posted by a third party that is not posting under a contractual, licensing, or other arrangement with you, individualized password-protected documents and preexisting social media posts are excepted (SYS 655, section 6).
- Do not use the provision of reasonable accommodations as a substitute for making web content and mobile apps accessible (SYS 655, section 6).
- Provide communication, training, guidance and resources to the employees responsible for web content and mobile apps (SYS 655, section 6).
- Designate at least one employee as the primary contact for digital accessibility technical consultation and policy compliance issues, able to give guidance on the exceptions in 28 CFR 35.201, 35.202, 35.203 and 35.205 (SYS 655, section 6).
- Provide a mechanism for complaints about web content and mobile apps that may not comply, develop processes for their timely review and resolution, and give the UWSA Chief Compliance Officer or designee an annual report of complaints (SYS 655, section 6).
These lines are LexLint's reading of the law's text.
What this law does
Each University of Wisconsin System institution must provide web content and mobile apps that are accessible, as defined by conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, unless that would result in a modification so significant that it alters the essential nature of the program, service or activity, or in significant difficulty or expense to the institution, as determined by the chancellor or designee.
The policy applies to all web content and mobile apps, including third party content, provided or made available for use in all Universities of Wisconsin programs, services, and activities. The policy excepts archived web content, preexisting conventional electronic documents, content posted by a third party that is not posting under a contractual, licensing, or other arrangement with the institution, individualized password-protected documents and preexisting social media posts.
Each institution may develop its own policies, procedures and guidance, using the system policy as the minimum level of restriction. Wisconsin law vests the chancellors with administering board policies under the coordinating direction of the system president. The policy was first issued on , last revised on , and takes effect on .
When LexLint raises it
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