Accessibility Policy for Individuals with Disabilities

Policy Number	MU-POL-005	Version	1.0
Issue Date	January 2025	Review Date	January 2027
Policy Owner	Deanship of Student Affairs and Human Resources Department	Scope	All Employees and Students

I. Purpose and Objectives

Midocean University affirms the right of every individual, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological abilities, to equitable access to its educational services. As a fully digital university, the University is committed to promoting digital inclusion and providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities across all aspects of the University experience.

II. Scope

Students with disabilities enrolled in the University’s academic programs.
Applicants with disabilities throughout the admissions and registration processes.
Employees with disabilities across all employment arrangements.

III. Definitions

Disability: Any physical, sensory, intellectual, cognitive, or psychological impairment that substantially limits major life activities.
Reasonable Accommodations: Modifications and adjustments that enable full and equal participation without imposing an undue burden on the University.
Digital Accessibility: The ability of all users to effectively and efficiently access digital content and services.

IV. Core Policy Provisions

1. Digital Accessibility

The University shall comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, (Level AA), as the minimum standard for the design and development of all digital platforms.
All educational materials shall be designed to include alternative text for images and text transcripts for audio and video content.
The University’s Learning Management System (LMS) shall be assessed to ensure compatibility with screen readers and approved assistive technologies.
Periodic digital accessibility audits shall be conducted, and identified accessibility barriers shall be addressed promptly upon detection.

2. Academic Accommodations

Extended examination time and modified assessment methods shall be provided to students with disabilities based on clinical evaluations.
Alternative methods for the delivery of courses and educational content shall be made available.
A specialized academic advisor shall be assigned to any student with a disability who requests such support.

3. Specialized Technical Support

The University shall provide specialized technical support services to assist students and employees with disabilities in using assistive technologies.
E-learning materials shall be maintained to ensure compatibility with the latest versions of commonly used assistive technologies.

4. Privacy and Confidentiality

All information relating to a student’s or employee’s disability shall be treated as strictly confidential.
Such information shall not be disclosed except with explicit written consent from the individual concerned and only to relevant parties as required for operational purposes.

V. Accommodation Request Procedures

Students or employees shall submit a written request to the Disability Support Unit, accompanied by supporting clinical documentation.
The designated unit shall review the request and issue a reasoned decision within fourteen (14) business days.
Approved accommodations shall be provided as soon as possible and no later than the beginning of the following academic semester.

VI. Review and Updates

This policy shall be reviewed annually with the participation of representatives of students and employees with disabilities to ensure its effectiveness.