Accessibility
Accessible web design improves usability and benefits everyone, including persons with disabilities. It provides benefits to users with text-based browsers, low-end processors, slow modem connections or users who do not have state-of-the-art computer equipment. It also enables easier access to the Internet via devices such as Internet-enabled phones or personal digital assistants.
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) has adopted the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0, Level A & AA and Section 508 standards for federal electronic and information technology issued by the U.S. Access Board. The TCAT strives to follow WCAG Level A & AA and Section 508 standards for an accessible and usable Web environment.
The TCAT is committed to making our website accessible to all users, and we have included several features designed to improve usability for everyone. We welcome comments on how to improve the site's usability and accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities. If you find any usability or accessibility issues during your visit to our site, please notify us of the issue through the Report a Website Issue Form. To help us respond most effectively, please note the nature of your accessibility concern, the web page address where the issue occurs, and the best way to contact you. We thank you in advance for helping the TCAT maintain a website usable by everyone.
Content
Information on the TCAT website is provided by multiple sources. Every effort is made to keep the content up to date; however, the website may not always reflect the most recent information and is subject to change. The College reserves the right to revise the information on this website at any time and without notice. This website has links to many other websites. These include links to websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. The TCAT is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these sites and suggests you review their privacy statements.
Some of the content we make available to users through this application comes from CareerOneStop Web Services. All such content is provided to users "as is." This content and the customer’s use of it are subject to change and/or removal at any time.
Privacy
When you access TCAT web pages, several pieces of access information are automatically collected. Collected information includes your IP address, identification of the page or service you are accessing, the type of browser and operating system you are using, and the date and time of the request. This information helps diagnose problems with our servers and site administration. We do not use IP addresses to identify personal information.
Some TCAT web pages may use cookies. Cookies are typically used to recognize you and your access privileges across TCAT web pages. These cookies are stored on your computer, do not contain personal information and can only be accessed remotely by the TCAT.
Collection of Information
The TCAT collects only the personally identifiable information necessary to provide the information or services requested by an individual[LPS1]."Personal information" refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual. This is the same information an individual might provide when visiting a government office and includes such items as an individual's name, address or phone number. The TCAT uses the collected information to respond appropriately to requests. This may be to respond directly to you or to improve the website. E-mail or other information requests sent to the TCAT website may be retained or forwarded to the appropriate agencies to respond to the request. Survey[LPS2] information is used for the purpose designated in the survey.
The TCAT also collects statistical information to help us understand how people use the website so we can continually improve our services. The information collected is not associated with any specific individual[LPS3], and no attempt is made to profile individuals who browse the website. This information includes, but is not limited to:
- Device-specific information (hardware, operating system, language and browser type)
- Log information (IP address, search queries and referral URL)
- Local storage, cookies[LPS4] and anonymous identifiers to collect and store information locally on your device
- Retention of Information
Records needed to support the TCAT program functions are retained, managed and accessible in record-keeping or filing systems in accordance with established records disposition authorizations approved by the State of Tennessee’s Public Records Commission. Records transmitted to this site will be identified, managed, protected and retained as long as they are needed to meet historical, administrative, fiscal or legal requirements.
Public Disclosure
Regardless of whether information is provided to the TCAT by personal visit, mail, or website, it becomes public record and is open to public inspection unless protected by State or Federal law. Public records are subject to the rules and requirements set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 7. A public record is defined as follows:
"Public record(s)" or "state record(s)" means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency. (T.C.A. 10-7-301 (6))
Based on the definition of public records, be aware that any information collected at this site could be made available to the public. Requests for public records will be examined for compliance with public record laws.
Website Security
The TCAT is committed to the security of the information that is either available from or collected by this website. The TCAT has taken multiple steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, encryption (SSL), and various physical safeguards.
FERPA Rights to Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA grants parents certain rights regarding their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches age 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
For more information on FERPA, please access the Department of Education FERPA web page.
External Links
Links to external resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the TCAT of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The TCAT bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.