Accessibility Policy
uConnect’s Commitment to Accessibility
At uConnect, our mission is to make career services accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Delivering on that mission requires an ongoing commitment to digital accessibility. We proactively design, build, and improve our platform to support an inclusive experience for all users, from staff and administrators to students and alumni, regardless of ability.
The uConnect core platform is designed to align with WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards. These standards exceed the WCAG 2.1 AA requirements referenced in the U.S. Department of Education’s Title II regulations, which apply to most publicly funded institutions beginning in April 2026. We continuously monitor evolving accessibility guidance and best practices to support long-term compliance.
When accessibility issues are identified, we prioritize resolving anything that creates a barrier to access or blocks content for users with disabilities. Other findings are documented and addressed through planned maintenance and ongoing platform improvements. Our goal is simple: to provide a digital environment that works for everyone.
What uConnect Provides
Out of the Box
Accessible Frontend Experience
The uConnect frontend, the experience used by students, alumni, employers, and community members, is built to align with WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This includes support for updated criteria such as focus visibility, target size, keyboard interaction, and content behavior on hover or focus.
Administrative Dashboard Accessibility
In alignment with Title II requirements, the uConnect administrative dashboard is also being evaluated against WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We are actively completing updates to ensure alignment ahead of the federal compliance deadline.
Proactive Accessible Design
Our platform incorporates accessibility best practices, including:
- Semantic, accessible markup
- Keyboard-friendly navigation
- Clear and consistent focus indicators
- Configurable contrast-checking tools
- Support for alternative text and accessible media
- Responsive layouts optimized across devices
Shared Responsibility:
What Institutions Manage
While uConnect provides an accessible technical foundation, institutions play an important role in maintaining accessibility, particularly when customizing their site or creating content.
Branding and Color Contrast
Visual elements such as colors, fonts, and backgrounds are often selected by the institution. Ensuring sufficient color contrast is essential for accessibility. uConnect provides guidance and in-product tools to help teams make informed, accessible design choices.
Accessible Content Creation
Many accessibility issues stem from user-generated content. Institutions are responsible for ensuring that content they publish meets accessibility guidelines, including:
- Adding descriptive alternative text to images
- Using clear, logical heading structures
- Avoiding images of text when possible
- Ensuring third-party embeds, such as videos, widgets, and calendars, are accessible
- Writing link text that clearly describes its destination or purpose
Document Accessibility
uConnect does not provide PDFs or Word documents, but institutions may upload their own materials. Institutions are responsible for ensuring these documents meet accessibility requirements, including:
- Proper tagging and structure
- Adequate color contrast
- Selectable and searchable text
- Logical reading order
- Meaningful document titles
Whenever possible, we recommend using native web content instead of PDFs, as it is generally more accessible and mobile-friendly.
Special Considerations
Legacy Customizations
While the uConnect base platform and default themes are continuously updated to align with accessibility standards, older or highly customized implementations, such as custom-coded headers or navigation elements, may require additional adjustments. If accessibility concerns arise in these areas, our team will review them and prioritize updates as appropriate.
Third-Party Tools
Institutions may choose to embed third-party tools such as chatbots, calendars, or content widgets. Because these tools are not developed by uConnect, we cannot guarantee their accessibility or remediate issues within them. We encourage institutions to confirm that any third-party solutions meet their compliance requirements.
Accessibility Standards and Documentation
For detailed information about uConnect’s accessibility conformance, including our evaluation against WCAG 2.2 AA standards, please review our Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
If you have questions, encounter barriers, or would like guidance on accessibility best practices, we welcome your feedback at product@gouconnect.com or through our Accessibility Hub.