Digital Accessibility

The UIS community should be aware of significant changes in accessibility standards following the latest ruling from the Department of Justice (DOJ). This ruling revises Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and introduces specific requirements to enhance web accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Key Changes and Impact on Our Campus

The DOJ's final rule necessitates that all services, programs, and activities provided through the web and mobile apps by public entities, including universities, are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This adjustment aims to ensure that people with disabilities can access these services as independently and privately as possible, without the need for special requests or alternative formats.

For UIS, this means:

• Impact on Course Content in Canvas: The updated DOJ ruling directly impacts how course content is added and managed on Canvas. Faculty must ensure that all course materials uploaded to Canvas comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Levels A and AA. This includes everything from syllabi and lecture materials to assignments and multimedia content. It also includes any third-party links, content, and software used within courses. It is crucial that these materials are accessible from the outset, eliminating the need for students to request accommodations. This proactive approach to accessibility ensures all students have equal access to educational resources, aligning with the DOJ's commitment to eliminating barriers in educational environments.
• Web Content and Mobile Applications: All online content and mobile apps must conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Levels A and AA. This standard applies to all electronic documents used to access university services, from course materials to administrative forms.
• Implications for Staff Posting on Social Media: Under the new DOJ guidelines, staff responsible for managing official university social media accounts must also consider accessibility. While preexisting social media posts are exempt, all new content must be accessible. This includes ensuring that images have alt text, videos are captioned, and posts are written in a manner that is accessible to screen readers. Staff will need to be trained on these requirements to ensure that our communications on social media platforms are inclusive and accessible to all community members, reflecting our commitment to diversity and accessibility.
• Proactive Accessibility: The ruling emphasizes the proactive accessibility of digital content. This includes materials used in courses, which must now be accessible without the need for students to request accommodations. This is a shift from previous regulations that allowed certain content to be made accessible only upon request.
• Exceptions: Limited exceptions include archived web content, certain third-party content, and preexisting, non-essential documents. However, any content that falls under these exceptions must be made accessible upon request in a timely manner.

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff must ensure that all newly created content, as well as existing digital materials, meet these accessibility standards. COLRS is available to provide support and resources to assist in this transition for course content within Canvas. Information and resources on creating accessible documents and web content can be found on COLRS Digital Accessibility page or the Web Accessibility page.

Next Steps for Compliance

UIS is committed to full compliance with these new regulations. The university is in the process of conducting audits of all current digital materials and systems to identify areas needing improvement. Additionally, a task force will be created to oversee the implementation of the compliance plan and to ensure that all digital content meets or exceeds the required accessibility standards.

Newly Published Content Must be Completely Accessible as of April 24, 2026

All newly published digital content on the University of Illinois Springfield platforms must be fully accessible starting June 24, 2026. According to the Department of Justice's updated requirements, this deadline is crucial for ensuring that all online materials—ranging from academic course content to administrative forms—are created and maintained in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Levels A and AA. It is imperative for all university departments to adhere to these guidelines from this point forward to guarantee that our educational and administrative resources are accessible to every member of our community, without exception. UIS has till April 24, 2026 to remediate all content published prior to April 24, 2024. If older content is updated, then it should be made accessible prior to publishing the update.

Exceptions for Archived Content

For any content that is determined to meet the archive exception, use the following language:

“This material was created before June 24, 2024, and therefore is considered archival material, and it may not be accessible.  If you require an accessible version of this material, please contact <INSERT EMAIL CONTACT>.”

Consequences for Noncompliance

1. Legal Enforcement: The Department of Justice (DOJ) can enforce compliance through legal actions. This can lead to court orders mandating compliance and potentially imposing penalties.
2. Civil Litigation: Individuals affected by non-compliance can initiate private lawsuits. This could result in court orders for compliance and might include compensation for damages caused by the lack of accessibility.
3. Funding Implications: For entities that receive federal funding, non-compliance could affect their funding status. The federal government may impose conditions or potentially withdraw funding if entities fail to meet required standards.
4. Reputational Damage: Non-compliance can lead to negative publicity, affecting the public perception of the entity. This might influence user engagement and trust, especially among disability advocacy groups and individuals who require accessible content.
5. Compliance Reviews and Monitoring: The DOJ and other relevant bodies may conduct compliance reviews. Entities found to be non-compliant may be subjected to monitoring until they meet the requirements.

Looking Forward

This ruling represents a significant step towards inclusivity, ensuring that all members of our community have equal access to educational and administrative resources. The University of Illinois Springfield is dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can achieve their full potential.

For further information on the DOJ's final rule and the university's compliance strategies, please contact COLRS. Use this form to make a Digital Accessibility Support Request.

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