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Digital Accessibility Compliance 2026
Background
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) finalized new regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), strengthening digital accessibility requirements for state and local governments, including public colleges and universities. These updated rules clarify that all web content, mobile apps, and digital services used by students, employees, and the public must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The standard for compliance is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. Institutions must ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust—whether created internally, purchased through a vendor, or hosted on third-party platforms. The deadline for compliance is April 24, 2026.
The new rule applies broadly to instructional content (e.g., library materials, course materials, learning management systems, videos), student services (e.g., registration, advising, orientation, student information systems, libraries), administrative tools (e.g., HR portals, procurement systems), and public-facing websites. While the DOJ recognizes limited exceptions—such as archived content not needed for current use or third-party content not under the college’s control—these are narrowly defined and must be documented. Institutions are expected to remediate inaccessible materials and maintain a continuous commitment to accessibility through training, policy, monitoring, and procurement practices. Digital accessibility is a whole-college effort and a whole-college responsibility.
Project Objectives
The objective of this business case is to establish a formal, system-wide Digital Accessibility Compliance Project by procuring and deploying the necessary tools, services, training, staffing, and accountability structures. The project aims to:
- Ensure that all digital materials and platforms meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA standards;
- Provide centralized policy guidance while allowing for local college flexibility;
- Equip colleges with the knowledge, tools, and structures needed to achieve independent, sustainable compliance;
- One year consulting resources – Providing professional expertise and support to the colleges; and,
- Develop a sustainable plan to ensure all new digital content is created accessible from the outset.
Benefits to the College
- Regulatory Compliance – Meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, Section 508, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards avoid legal exposure and protect the College’s reputation.
- Improved Student Success – Accessible content ensures all students, including those with disabilities, can engage fully with courses and services.
- Operational Efficiency – Clear policies, inventories, and processes reduce duplication of effort and establish consistent practices across the College.
- Future-Proofing – By embedding accessibility into daily work flows, the College minimizes future remediation costs and positions itself as a leader in accessible education.
- Community Trust – Demonstrating accessibility as a campus value reinforces the College’s commitment to serving its diverse student body and regional community.
What Does Accessibility Mean in Practical Terms?
- Videos must have accurate captions
- Images must include alt. text
- Documents should use headings, lists, and descriptive links
- Pages and files should be readable, consistently structured, and usable with assistive technology
What Needs to be Accessible?
If students or staff are expected to interact with the content, it must meet accessibility standards. All digital content used in instruction, services, or communication must be accessible. This includes:
All digital teaching and learning materials
- Including:
- courses
- syllabi
- readings
- third-party instructional content
Administrative Documents
- Policies, procedures, handbooks, and reports that need to be accessible to all employees and stakeholders
- Examples:
- Employee handbooks
- Policy documents
- Procedure guides
Communication & Emails
- Campus-wide announcements, newsletters, and email communications that reach diverse audiences
- Examples:
- Campus announcements
- Department newsletters
- Event invitations
- Emergency alerts
Events & Marketing
- Promotional materials, event information, and marketing content for campus activities
- Examples:
- Event flyers
- Social media posts
- Event registration pages
- Marketing campaigns
HR & Employment
- Hiring materials, on boarding documents, and employee resources
- Examples:
- Job postings
- Application portals
- On boarding materials
- Benefits information
Student Services
- Forms, applications, and resources that support student success and services
- Examples:
- Application forms
- Service request forms
- Student handbooks
- Resource guides