Digital Accessibility

Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps

The following is a collection of resources to highlight and describe the recently released regulations that require institutions to make content and services accessed via the web or mobile apps across an entire institution, including learning and employee engagement content and platforms. Environments must meet technical standard WCAG 2.1 AA. Deadline

for most orgs is April 2026. Full Slide Deck

"On April 24, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published its final regulation on web and mobile application accessibility in the Federal Register. DOJ released a long-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on accessibility standards for websites and mobile applications on August 4, 2023. The final regulation, promulgated under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), marks the first time that DOJ has issued formal regulations for accessibility in the digital realm. Title II of the ADA protects individuals with disabilities from being excluded from participating in or receiving the benefits of services or programs provided by state or local government entities. As such, the April 24 regulation applies only to public higher education institutions. 

 Published: Monday, June 10, 2024

 Published: Monday, June 10, 2024

More about: 

Original Source Resource:

WCET is putting out some interesting info on this:

This one supports career relevance & accessibility in job descriptions. It also provides supporting evidence that higher ed organizations are facing training and faculty buy-in challenges. Survey on New DOJ Regulation on Accessibility of Web Information and Services

More on what the new regs are:

"...sets forth technical requirements for ensuring that web content and mobile apps that state and local government entities, including public universities and colleges, provide or make available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities."

"The Department of Justice has adopted the internationally recognized accessibility standard WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria and conformance requirements (including for captioning)."

Published by: WCET | 8/22/2024

"For a page or other digital product to meet the ADA technical requirements it, including any 3rd party content within that page or product, must fully meet all WCAG level A and level AA success criteria."

Poster from Educause: Accessibility After Updated Regulations: Responding and Developing Solutions for Rapid Compliance 

"institutions will need to ensure that all digital course content—including content on a password-protected website—is accessible under WCAG 2.1 AA."

"While this regulation applies only to public higher education institutions, private institutions should take note. The EDUCAUSE Policy team expects this regulation to serve as a template for any forthcoming web accessibility regulation that DOJ may promulgate under Title III of the ADA. Title III prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation, including any privately operated entity that affects commerce. Therefore, any regulation issued under Title III would extend to private higher education institutions."