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Title II
ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Requires
New federal regulations under Title II of the ADA require public institutions of higher education to ensure that their digital content
and technology are proactively accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes
websites, online course materials, PDFs, videos, software platforms, and other digital
tools used for instruction, services, and communication. Covered public entities must
adopt an “accessible by design” approach rather than relying solely on responding
to individual accommodation requests. Accessibility must be built into digital systems
to ensure timely, accurate, and equivalent access to the institution’s programs, services,
and activities.
Institutional Response and DASC Committee
The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee (DASC) was established by College Cabinet
to ensure NWACC complies with federal accessibility laws, including ADA Title II,
Section 504, and the 2024 DOJ web accessibility rule, which requires WCAG 2.1 Level
AA standards.
The DASC provides leadership and oversight for digital accessibility across all College
digital environments — including websites, LMS content, instructional materials, documents,
media, software systems, and online services. The Committee operates with Cabinet
authority, reports regularly to College leadership, and serves as the College’s permanent
governance body for digital accessibility compliance.
What Digital Accessibility Means
Digital accessibility ensures that individuals with disabilities can independently
access and use online content and technology. This includes people who use screen
readers, captions, keyboard navigation, voice input, or other assistive technologies.
Basic principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
What WCAG 2.1 AA Standards Are
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 Level AA is the technical standard
referenced in the federal rule. It sets measurable requirements for accessibility,
such as providing captions for videos, adding alternative text to images, ensuring
sufficient color contrast, and making content usable by keyboard.
What to Expect Next
Training plans have been developed for faculty, with balanced timelines for completing
training and achieving accessibility compliance in classroom materials. These timelines
are designed to be realistic and supportive.
All employees can expect training and practical guidance to help navigate the new digital accessibility requirements in their respective roles. Clear expectations, resources, and ongoing support will be provided. Training is currently under development, and employees will receive additional updates and communications in late spring regarding timelines, expectations, and available learning opportunities. Accessibility is a shared responsibility, and the College is committed to helping every employee meet these standards with confidence.
For more information and to access the ADA Fact Sheet, visit this link: https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/
Thank you – Digital Accessibility Steering Committee