Accessibility

BKU University (BKU) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all people, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all users.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. BKU's website is designed to be substantially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

Substantially conformant means that while most of the content conforms to the accessibility standards, there may be some portions that do not yet fully conform. We are actively working to address these areas.

Our website includes the following accessibility features:

• Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements can be accessed using a keyboard
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Content is structured to be compatible with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver
• Alternative Text: Images include descriptive alternative text for screen readers
• Clear Heading Structure: Content is organized with proper heading hierarchy for easy navigation
• Color Contrast: Text and background colors meet WCAG AA contrast ratio requirements
• Resizable Text: Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of functionality
• Focus Indicators: Clear visual indicators show which element has keyboard focus
• Skip Navigation Links: Skip-to-content links allow users to bypass repetitive navigation
• Descriptive Links: Link text clearly describes the destination or purpose
• Form Labels: All form inputs have associated labels

Our website is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

• Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Screen magnification software
• Speech recognition software
• Alternative input devices
• Browser accessibility features

Our website is tested and optimized for accessibility on the following browsers and platforms:

• Google Chrome (latest version)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
• Apple Safari (latest version)
• Microsoft Edge (latest version)
• Mobile browsers on iOS and Android devices

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some limitations. Below are known issues we are working to address:

• Some third-party content and embedded media may not be fully accessible
• Certain PDF documents may not be fully accessible; we are working to convert these to accessible formats
• Some legacy content may not meet current accessibility standards and is being updated
• Video content may not have complete captions or transcripts; we are actively adding these

We are committed to addressing these limitations as quickly as possible.

BKU is committed to providing accessible facilities for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Our campus includes:

• Accessible parking spaces near building entrances
• Ramps and elevators for wheelchair access where applicable
• Accessible restrooms throughout campus facilities
• Clear signage with high contrast text
• Assistive listening devices available upon request

BKU provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. Academic accommodations may include:

• Extended time for examinations
• Note-taking assistance
• Alternative format materials (large print, audio, digital)
• Assistive technology in computer labs
• Priority registration
• Accessible seating in classrooms
• Sign language interpreters

Students requesting accommodations should contact the Student Support Services office as early as possible to ensure timely implementation.

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services that are not under our control. BKU is not responsible for the accessibility of third-party content. However, we strive to work with vendors and partners who share our commitment to accessibility and encourage them to provide accessible content and services.

The accessibility of our website relies on the following technologies:

• HTML5
• CSS3
• JavaScript
• WAI-ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

BKU assesses the accessibility of our website through:

• Regular self-evaluation using automated accessibility testing tools
• Manual testing with keyboard navigation and screen readers
• User testing with individuals who use assistive technologies
• Ongoing staff training on accessibility best practices
• Third-party accessibility audits conducted periodically

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the BKU website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know using the contact information below.

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 5 business days. When contacting us, please provide:

• Your contact information
• The web address (URL) of the material you accessed
• A description of the problem you experienced
• The assistive technology you were using (if applicable)

If you are not satisfied with our response to your accessibility concern, you may file a formal complaint through our institutional grievance procedure. Information about this process is available through the Student Support Services office or by contacting the Accessibility Coordinator listed below.

BKU is committed to continuous improvement of website accessibility. Our ongoing efforts include:

• Regular accessibility audits and updates to our website
• Training for faculty, staff, and content creators on accessibility best practices
• Incorporating accessibility requirements into procurement processes for new technology
• Monitoring emerging accessibility standards and technologies
• Soliciting and incorporating feedback from users with disabilities
• Developing and maintaining an institutional accessibility policy

For more information about web accessibility, please visit:

• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) — w3.org/WAI
• WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference — w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref
• Section 508 Standards — section508.gov

This accessibility statement applies to the BKU website at bkuniversity.us. This statement will be reviewed and updated as needed, but at least annually, to reflect the current state of accessibility on our website.