Report a Website Accessibility Issue

• Civil rights law applies to all non-Federal entities
• Does not deal directly with the internet
• Guarantees access to employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications

• 16 rules that pertain to Web materials and information technology
• Federal procurement law - applies mainly to Federal Gov.
• Can apply to states, entities that receive Federal funds

• "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States … shall, solely by reason of … disability, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from the participation in, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
• A "qualified person with a disability" is defined as one…" who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the education program or activity."
• Under the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, our College may not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, educational process, or treatment of students. Students who have self-identified, provided documentation of disability, and requested reasonable accommodations are entitled to receive approved modifications of programs, appropriate academic adjustments, or auxiliary aids that enable them to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and activities.

• Declares all persons in California are free and equal.
• Guarantees full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments, regardless of characteristics such as:
• Sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin
• Disability, medical condition, genetic information
• Marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship
• Primary language, immigration status

 

• General Prohibition of Discrimination:
• No person in California shall be unlawfully denied full and equal access to benefits or subjected to discrimination under any state-run or state-funded program or activity.
• Applies to state agencies, programs administered by the state, and entities receiving state financial assistance.
• Includes California State University.
• Protected Characteristics:
  • Sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin
  • Ethnic group identification, age, disability (mental or physical)
  • Medical condition, genetic information, marital status
  • Sexual orientation
• Discrimination is prohibited based on:
• Disability Protections:
• Programs must comply with Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132).
• If California law provides stronger protections, those stricter standards apply.
• Expanded Protections:
• Includes protections for individuals perceived to have a protected characteristic.
• Extends to individuals associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, a protected characteristic.

Overview

The California Legislature recognizes that access to electronic and information technology is essential for employment and daily life. To enhance accessibility, state entities must ensure compliance with federal accessibility standards.

Key Requirements

• State Government Compliance:
• California state entities must adhere to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology.
• Ensures accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing.
• Contractor Responsibilities:
• Any entity contracting with a state or local agency for electronic or information technology must:
• Ensure their products and services comply with accessibility requirements.
• Address and resolve accessibility complaints brought to their attention.