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Accessibility

Sam Houston State University is committed to making its public websites accessible to all users. SHSU’s public websites meet this priority and comply with accessibility standards set forth in Texas Government Code § 2054.451, et. seq., Title 1 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapters 206 and 213, and related state and federal law.

To ensure SHSU websites fulfill state and federal requirements, all website content is expected to meet or exceed Level AA of the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

Accessibility Responsibilities

Maintaining accessible websites is a shared responsibility of everyone who edits, publishes, or provides content for SHSU websites.

Formal responsibilities are divided across three groups: Integrated Marketing Communications, website publishers, and website editors.

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC):

IMC is responsible for the technical infrastructure of SHSU's websites, including code, templates, and component structures, as well as content in areas directly managed by IMC.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintaining code, templates, and component structures to meet accessibility requirements
  • Monitoring the overall accessibility health of the website
  • Coordinating with website area publishers to correct content accessibility issues

IMC will review reported issues and coordinate remediation within a reasonable timeframe.

Website Publishers:

Website publishers are responsible for the content they add or approve for addition to their designated section of the website.

Responsibilities:

  • Following content guidelines as set forth by IMC
  • Monitoring their website for accessibility issues through tools such as Siteimprove.
  • Correcting issues within parts of the platform they have access to.
  • Reporting any accessibility issues outside of their control to IMC

Website Editors:

Website editors are responsible for working with their designated publisher to ensure content in their area meets accessibility requirements.

Responsibilities:

  • Following content guidelines as set forth by IMC
  • Correcting issues within parts of the platform they have access to.
  • Reporting any accessibility issues outside of their control to IMC.

Accessibility Statutes

All Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) must comply with state and federal law. 

Unless an exception is approved or an exemption has been made by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) (TAC §213.37), IMC administered websites shall comply with applicable standards/specifications. 

Electronic and Information Resource (EIR) Rule
Websites TAC §206.70
Video and Multimedia TAC §213.32
Support Documentation and Services TAC §213.36

Key Takeaways

  • Commitment and Standard: SHSU is committed to making its public websites accessible to all users and requires content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
  • Shared Responsibility: Accessibility is a shared responsibility across everyone who contributes to SHSU websites, with formal duties divided among IMC, website publishers, and website editors.
  • Legal Compliance: SHSU websites and digital resources must comply with applicable Texas and federal accessibility law.

Related Guidance

Updated 6/15/26