Digital Accessibility
Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps
In April 2024, the Department of Justice published a rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The rule sets technical requirements for state and local governments to follow to make sure that their websites and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities.
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.
To learn more about this rule and it's requirements, view webinar by the US Dept of Justice: Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Web & Mobile Application Accessibility Rule.
Other Resources
"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.
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.
More on what the new regs are:
"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."
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – the ADA’s Requirements for Digital Content Published by: WCET | 8/22/2024
"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."
Web and Mobile App Accessibility Regulations Educause Review Katie Branson,
Published: Monday, June 10, 2024"Section 508 – Accessible Technology for All: From federal websites to software, Section 508 mandates that federal electronic materials have to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Like the other pieces of the Rehabilitation Act, these requirements are set by statute and regulations and would be difficult to change. But the new administration could cut back its implementation efforts, leaving it to private individuals and organizations to enforce the law. It is unclear at the moment whether the directive to close federal DEIA offices has targeted Section 508 offices. January 27, 2025 "The Effect of Donald Trump’s DEI Executive Order on Accessibility" Guest article by civil rights and accessibility lawyer Eve Hill
