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Accessibility Statement

The KOFE Institute is committed to ensuring that all Institute Information Technology and Digital Content are accessible to the fullest extent possible. This commitment reflects our responsibility to provide an equitable, inclusive, and effective digital environment for all members of our community, including individuals with disabilities.


For the purposes of this Policy, “accessible” means that a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to obtain the same information, participate in the same interactions, and benefit from the same services as a person without a disability. Such access must be provided in an equally effective, equally integrated manner, and with substantially equivalent ease of use.
The KOFE Institute adopts this Policy to promote equal access to digital and online media, enhance the usability of Institute technologies, and uphold applicable accessibility standards and legal requirements. All Institute personnel responsible for creating, procuring, managing, or distributing digital content or information technology are expected to support and implement this Policy.

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KOFE Institute Digital Accessibility Policy
This Policy is established to promote equal access to information technology and digital content and to improve the user experience of IT and digital/online media for all users, including persons with disabilities.


Policy Statement
The KOFE Institute is committed to making Institute Information Technology and Institute Digital Content accessible.
For the purposes of this Policy, “accessible” means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.


Digital Accessibility Standards
Toward meeting the Institute’s commitment to accessibility, the KOFE Institute expects Institute Information Technology and Institute Digital Content to conform to applicable Digital Accessibility Standards to the fullest extent possible.
For the purposes of this Policy, the Digital Accessibility Standards are:

  • The World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA for websites and web‑based applications and services

  • For non‑web software and services, WCAG 2.1 Level AA applies to the extent feasible

  • For digital hardware interfaces, the Standards include the federal Section 508 hardware standards in 36 C.F.R. Part 1194, Appendix C, Chapter 4


Where conformance is not technically feasible or requires extraordinary measures, a request for exception may be submitted to the appropriate Institute authority.
New Institute Content
Beginning January 1, 2026, the, KOFE Institute users posting or publishing Institute Content should aim to make such content conform to the Standards, to the extent technically feasible and consistent with the Institute Content framework in the Implementation Procedures.
Where conformance is not feasible, users should consider alternative accessible formats.
Existing Institute IT and Content
The Implementation Procedures will provide resources and strategies for securing conformance from third‑party vendors.
Definitions

  • Institute Information Technology: IT purchased, developed, deployed, or used for Institute Business and hosted on an Institute‑owned or controlled domain

  • Information Technology: Includes software, applications, websites, hosting services, cloud services, digital hardware interfaces, and database configurations

  • Institute Content: Digital Content created, posted, distributed, or published for Institute Business

  • Digital Content: Any information or communication displayed in digital form (text, image, audio, video)

  • Institute Business: Activities carried out by Institute personnel in furtherance of the Institute’s mission

  • Senior Leadership: President, Provost, Executive Vice President, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and their designees

Responsibility
Senior Leadership is expected to promote awareness of this Policy, assign responsibility for accessibility within their units, and designate Digital Accessibility Liaisons.
All members of the KOFE Institute community should ensure that Institute Content they publish or communicate through Institute IT is accessible.
Resources and Support
Accessibility Steering Committee (ASC)
The ASC is responsible for:

  • Reviewing and revising this Policy and its Implementation Procedures

  • Promoting awareness

  • Assessing and reporting on accessibility efforts

  • Establishing processes for exception requests

Digital Accessibility Services (DAS)
DAS provides training, guidance, and support for implementing accessibility standards and tracks remediation efforts across the Institute.
Digital Accessibility Liaisons (DALs)
DALs coordinate local accessibility efforts and report progress to ASC and DAS.
Institute Disability Resources (IDR)
IDR provides leadership and guidance on disability‑related resources and services across the Institute.
Exceptions and Remediation
Requests for exceptions may require an accommodation plan detailing how services or information will be made accessible by alternative means.
Non‑conforming content may be required to be remediated or temporarily removed until brought into conformance.
Upon request by an individual unable to access specific content, the content must be updated to conform or provided in an accessible alternative format in a timely manner.
Disclaimer
This Policy establishes internal guidelines for promoting digital accessibility at the KOFE Institute. It does not create contractual or legal rights for any individual or member of the public.

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