Web Accessibility

George Mason University is committed to providing comparable access to all programs and services to people with disabilities. This includes access to electronic information and services. All official Mason web sites must meet Mason’s web accessibility standards. These standards are based on the Web Accessibility Standards specified in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If this is not possible, reasonable accommodations must be made to provide these services or materials in an alternative format in a timely manner to ensure compliance with federal laws.

The George Mason University web site is defined to include the university's home page (the top- level web page) and every web site that links directly from the home page (second- level web sites) unless the site is not on a university server or the site is licensed from a vendor. It also includes all the web sites that are designed by Electronic Publications in Creative Services and other sites that are developed using the university web templates.

Mason Accessibility Standards
These standards are based on the Web Accessibility Standards outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Web pages must be designed to accommodate text-only browsers.

1. If graphics are displayed, an alternative description of the graphic will be provided for the consideration of users with non-graphical browsers.
2. If there is an audio/video file on the web site any verbal content should be captioned. If synchronized captions are not possible you must provide a transcript for the verbal content.
3. Ensure that color contrast is adequate (avoid using a cluttered background image behind text.
4. If you use frames, provide descriptive labels, (i.e. navigation frame vs. top frame)
5. If you use tables to display content identify the header cells of the table. Tables used for layout do not create an accessibility problem.
6. Provide a link that will allow the user to "skip over" the consistent navigation links on the page. This link is a simple anchor link that links the user to the beginning of the main content of the page.
7. Ensure that all functions of the page can be accessed using the keyboard alone.
8. All form elements must use the <LABEL> tag to associate the appropriate text with the element.
9. Image maps must be keyboard accessible and provide alternative text for each active region.
10. If JavaScript menus and elements are used, a page must provide the ability to access those elements using the keyboard alone.
11. Use a text only site only when there is no other option for accessibility.

For more information regarding the University's accessibility compliance plan, contact the University's ADA/EEO Program Specialist, University Equity Office, at (703)993-8730.

The Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has created recommendations for authoring accessible Web pages. The United Nation's Division for Social Policy and Development published the Accessibility on the Internet report which covers three Internet accessibility issues: Web accessibility, e-mail accessibility, and adaptive technologies.

The following George Mason University offices provide ADA related services and resources:

• University Equity Office facilitates ADA compliance for the University at-large.
• Disability Resource Center coordinates services and accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Center for Human disAbilities (CHd), Graduate School of Education, combines resources from local, state, national, public, and private affiliations to develop products, services, and programs for all persons with disabilities.
• Assistive Technology Initiative provides individuals with disabilities access to technology that is available to all Mason employees and students. Among the services they offer, they provide informal assessments and training on Assistive Technology.
• WebAim Grant