If you experience a barrier on any page of Palomar College’s website, or in a Canvas course, please report the issue immediately. Note: This is not a form for requesting support to design your web page or other digital content accessibly – see support team below. Palomar College has a detailed Digital Accessibility Complaint and Resolution Process.
Digital Accessibility Support Team
It is important for all employees to know where to go for digital accessible design support. Digital Accessibility is a district-wide endeavor and no one is alone in their personal efforts toward our common goal. Below is a master list for points of contact depending on what kind of support is needed. Note: This is not where to go for reporting a barrier – see above issue reporting form.
Website/Web Application Accessibility
Academic Technology Resources Center (ATRC)
The Academic Technology Resources Center (ATRC) supports all Palomar-created websites and web applications. They can assist any employee needing support to ensure all components of the website or web application are accessible per WCAG 2.1 AA standards. For example, staff in charge of the Basic Needs site or the Athletics site can schedule time with the ATRC for one-on-one support.
Instruction/Canvas Accessibility
The Instructional Design team is best suited for supporting design fixes (i.e., remediating inaccessible design/materials) and Open Education Resources (OER). For example, faculty and staff needing to learn how to implement Universal Design for Learning in course design, modify instructional materials for accessibility, use accessible headings, implement proper alt text for images, generate multimedia transcripts/captions, and create accessible digital documents.
Instructional Design Team (contact directly): Kelly Falcone | Alyssa Vafaei
The Distance Education (DE) Coordinator and Committee have been at the helm of digital accessibility work for quite some time, and can therefore support digital accessibility in instruction. DE hosts several workshops throughout the year from basic (POET) to advanced (POCR) accessible course design for Canvas. Note: Faculty who only teach in-person, but use Canvas for some components of their courses, would benefit tremendously from DE support.
Distance Education Faculty Coordinator (contact directly): Tanessa Sanchez
Academic Technology Resources Center (ATRC)
For support that requires a Canvas Administrator, employees should reach out to the ATRC. For example, faculty needing to export a Canvas course or extending time on exams, can get one-on-one support at ATRC Help.
Employee Forms Accessibility
Human Resource Services Division
Division ownership of employee forms range from Human Resources to Instruction to Financial & Administrative Services. For assistance in remediating or creating any new employee forms that will posted on Human Resource Services web pages, the point of contact is HR Help.
Student Forms Accessibility
Division ownership of student forms is primarily Student Services. For assistance in remediating or creating any new student forms that will be posted on any Student Services web pages, the point of contact is TBD.
Point of Contact Coming Soon!
Communications/Marketing Material Accessibility
The Public Affairs Office is responsible for ensuring all digital communication and marketing materials from Palomar College are accessible. For assistance in remediating or creating any new digital communications or marketing materials that will go out to Palomar employees, students, or the community, the point of contact is Creative Services.
Social Media
The Public Affairs Office is responsible for ensuring all Palomar College affiliated social media accounts are accessible. Accounts that primarily share information about Palomar College programs and/or services, must meet compliance standards. For assistance in creating new social media content for your account, the point of contact is TBD
Point of Contact Coming Soon!
3rd Party Vendor Digital Product/Website Accessibility
Coming soon!
Policies, Standards & Governance
Federal, State & District Policies & Standards
- Department of Justice Ruling on ADA Title II
- Review of ADA Title II Law
- Review of WCAG 2.1 AA Standards
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- California Education Code 7405
- Digital Accessibility Policies at Palomar College
Digital Accessibility Governance
- Infrastructure & Sustainability Council
- Access & Inclusion Subcommittee
- Web Advisory Group
Digital Accessibility Milestone Updates
Updates coming!
Digital Accessibility FAQs
FAQs coming!
Descriptive & Scenario-Based Guidance
Coming soon!
Content Accessibility & Design
Accessible Web
Palomar College is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all students, employees, and community members. By employing universal design, we strive to develop our digital content in compliance with California Government Code 7405 that specifies conformance with the standards set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The college has adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). These standards are currently being incorporated into our digital spaces.
For a simple and straightforward checklist for digital accessibility, refer to the Accessibility Quick Start. Some general accessibility resources are also available – including accessibility for digital documents. Lastly, if you manage a website at Palomar, learn how to get started with our site-checking tool.
Accessible Documents
Palomar College is committed to serving all students and employees equitably, which requires equal access to required forms and materials for enrollment and employment respectively. Student Services and Human Resource Services personnel are encouraged to visit the Accessibility Resources page for training and assistance in creating accessible documents.
Accessible Canvas
Palomar aims to design all Canvas course content accessibly. Faculty are encouraged to review our Canvas Course Accessibility Checklist and the Distance Education Handbook when designing their courses. You will encounter the Canvas Instructor Guide, accessible course templates that you can import and make your own, and training to advance your accessible design to POCR level to get priority listing in the CVC catalog. Students and faculty who encounter digital accessibility issues in Canvas should report the issue immediately.
Accessible Video & Audio
Resources coming!
Accessible Images
All images on a web page or digital document should be related to and enhance the content. The addition of alternative text or “alt” text gives a user who is blind or visually impaired access to information about an image. Accessible images allow users who use assistive technologies equal access to information provided by an image.
Accessible Headings
Accessible headings assist the digital content audience scan and navigate information. When a web page or digital document has the correct heading markup, screen readers have the functionality to list page headings and sub-headings. Assistive technology users can then easily navigate and scan information, much the same as non-assistive technology users do.
Accessible Social Media
Resources coming!