Get Help – Faculty/Staff

If you’re an employee who needs accessibility-related help and aren’t sure where to look, start here with our brief overview of services. This list includes programs within the Accessibility Center, as well as additional services and supports across the university. 

Do you provide access-related services or support, and wish to be added to this list?
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CSU Guidelines

CSU Accessibility Statement

Colorado State University is committed to making our campus accessible. “Accessible” means that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can access our campus facilities, electronic and information technology, and educational opportunities fully, independently, and in a timely manner or with substantially equivalent access and ease of use. Inclusively designed spaces and materials benefit everyone and uphold our Principles of Community.

Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the most current published version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) level AA criteria. We actively work to identify, prioritize, and remove accessibility barriers in our digital platforms, applications, electronic resources, and physical spaces. Our efforts include ongoing assessment of our information technology and physical infrastructure, implementation of universal design principles, and continuous improvement of our accessibility standards.

We welcome your requests for accommodations and feedback about the accessibility of Colorado State University’s online services, materials, and resources. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers.

Colorado law HB 21-1110 mandated that as of July 1, 2024, state agencies must provide all digital information and technology in compliance with accessibility standards. A one-year grace period was approved before fines could be levied, as long as organizations demonstrated “good faith” efforts. As of July 1, 2025, fines of $3,500 or more per complaint are possible for failure to meet accessibility standards. A 2024 update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act builds on existing federal accessibility regulations and includes regulations for compliance with web and mobile app accessibility standards.

The recent laws and regulations also require a timely response to requests for accommodations for inaccessible content. The Student Disability Center can assist with student requests for accommodations, while the Office of Equal Opportunity can be consulted for employee requests. Unaffiliated users’ requests should be submitted through the Online Accessibility Contact Form or emailed to [email protected]. Questions about how to comply with accessibility standards can also be sent to that email address.

Faculty and Staff Responsibility

All faculty and staff are expected to ensure their digital content meets at least the Universal Design Goals shown on the Electronic Accessibility Rubric and Tutorials, to provide a base level of accessibility. Employees working with public-facing, website, and marketing content should work toward Full Accessibility as defined by the Rubric.

Learn more about employee expectations and how to achieve them

Making Accessible Content

It is the responsibility of all faculty and staff at CSU to continuously improve the accessibility of their electronic content. Taking manageably-sized steps, employees should work toward all of their active content meeting at least the Universal Design Goals defined by the Rubric. Some roles require employees to work toward Full Accessibility. Learn more through the employee expectations link directly above. 

The Electronic Accessibility Rubric and the Tutorials on this website were developed together to guide you through creating accessible content. The Rubric lays out criteria for meeting various levels of accessibility based on the type of content (PDF, multimedia, etc.). The Tutorials offer step-by-step instructions for the accessibility skills that constitute the Rubric. 

Also available on this site are accessible templates and at-home evaluation tools for a variety of content types; internal, external, synchronous and on-demand accessibility trainings; options for internal and external evaluations; and more. 

Large-scale accessibility is a time-consuming and often daunting task. It’s important to start small: Select one or a few basic accessibility skills to learn, and apply them to your most important or highest-use materials. Once you feel comfortable with those skills, begin adding another few to your workflow.  

Use the RAM strategy: Remove, Adapt, Make: 

  1. Remove outdated/non-current content from your website, course shell, etc. 
  2. Adapt current materials to meet the appropriate level of accessibility. 
  3. Make new content with accessibility in mind, so retroactive adaptation is not needed. 

Email CSU IT Accessibility Support with questions about:

    • Priorities and expectations.
    • Website accessibility and SiteImprove access.
    • Procurement process and VPAT questions.
    • Documents (after attempting website tutorials).
    • Complex and STEM content.

Disability Services

Employee accommodations are routed through the Office of Equal Opportunity. Visit the OEO Disability webpage to learn more. 

The Assistive Technology Resource Center supports CSU employees by providing access to assistive technology evaluations, equipment loans, training, and other resources. All employees are eligible to seek assistive technology support and services through the ATRC, regardless of disability or impairment status.

Learn more about the ATRC’s Employee Services.

Subject to some limitations, a service dog may accompany an individual with a disability throughout campus, such as in classrooms, recreational facilities and campus residences. It is strongly encouraged, but not required, that a service dog be identifiable to others through a visible signifier (e.g., vest or harness). Individuals with a disability who require a service dog in the classroom are encouraged to contact Student Disability Center (SDC) for assistance with accommodations.

Emotional support animals are not permitted in university buildings, but may be permitted in university housing after approval by the university upon the submission of appropriate documentation to the Student Disability Center.

Service Dog: “Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability under the applicable laws noted above.”

Emotional Support Animal (ESA): “An animal (other than a service dog) that has been verified by the university to be necessary to accommodate an individual with a disability by providing emotional support, comfort, or therapy in a University housing facility, in order to alleviate one or more identified symptoms or effects associated with its owner’s disability.”

CSU Policy: Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

Fulfilling Student Accommodations in Your Course

Students must work with the Student Disability Center to obtain official accommodations at CSU. There are many types of accommodations. Once the SDC informs the student which accommodation(s) will be available to them, the student forwards their accommodations letter to their instructors. Instructors are required to follow the accommodations and ensure implementation in their course.

The SDC website contains information on student accommodations in general, the accommodations process at CSU, faculty resources and FAQ, and more via the Accommodations Handbook webpage.

The Accessible Media Production team supports instructors with students possessing SDC-approved accommodations for closed captions, audio description, or fully accessible course documents. The AMP team will contact instructors when they become eligible for services. 

Report an access barrier

If you are experiencing barriers to access, please contact: