An important new federal regulation on digital content is about to take effect for universities across the country, and UNMC is undertaking the necessary steps to be ready.
The federal change is meant to make digital content more accessible to all users. The changes fall under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act – and UNMC must be in compliance by April 24, 2026.
The regulations cover such content as websites, classroom teaching materials, digital documents like PDFs, videos, and computer and mobile applications.
In some way, the new rules will apply to every segment of UNMC – making this a shared responsibility across the UNMC community.
Top university leadership is reinforcing the importance of the issue.
In January, University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, authorized a university-wide Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Policy.
UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said he stands behind the importance of accessibility and the work necessary to be in compliance.
“Not only is this important because of our obligation to comply with federal law, but most importantly, to ensure we continue to provide the best service to all individuals who depend on us,” Dr. Davies said. “From the chancellor’s office to academic affairs and information technology to strategic communications to every department, division, institute and unit across the entire institution – and each UNMC employee – we are all responsible for making accessibility a priority in our digital information.
“Given the importance of this policy, we are making sure we provide tools, resources and personnel to support the campus in making this a reality.”
Here are some questions and answers to help understand the changes and the implications:
What is changing?
The U.S. Department of Justice established a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. All local and state governments, including universities, must comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act has been in place since 1990, helping provide that people with disabilities have equitable access to government services and programs. In April 2024, the new rule set technical requirements for digital content, establishing a two-year period before state and local governments must be in compliance. That deadline now is approaching.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the rule will help local and state governments, including universities, better serve all members of the community, including people with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive and neurological disabilities.
What digital content does this cover?
In accordance with the updated federal regulations, NU policy specifies that the broad array of web content and mobile applications utilized by the university in its programs, services, activities and communications shall confirm with the guidelines.
NU’s policy – which is not an exclusive list – mentions:
- Digital instructional materials, such as lecture slides, recorded classes and electronic resources delivered through platforms such as Canvas.
- Official university websites, which provide central access to academic information, employment information, course catalogs and program details.
- Office and productivity software such as Office 365.
- Administrative systems, including ticketing platforms, online registration portals, employee information systems and application systems for student admissions, housing and employment.
- Library services, such as online, electronic books and academic databases.
- Digital communications, including official university social media channels and multimedia elements encompassing audio, video and text-based content.
Digital content that has not been accessed, updated or used before April 24, 2026, may qualify for the archived content exception and would not require remediation. However, if the archived materials are later accessed, reactivated or used to support an active course, program or university service on or after April 24, 2026, they must be remediated to meet current accessibility standards.
What work needs to be done?
Any digital information, content or programs fitting into those above categories – or others as they might apply – must be made accessible to people with disabilities.
As a few examples: A UNMC web content developer must arrange a web page in such a way that it is friendly to a screen reader used by someone with low vision. An administrative office staff member creating a PowerPoint presentation must make that digital document accessible in its layout, section headings, reading order and images. Faculty creating lecture slides must do the same, and make their lecture videos accessible, as well.
UNMC videos must have transcripts, captions and audio descriptions. Strategic Communications is auditing videos used throughout unmc.edu. Videos that are outdated will be removed. For those that remain, transcripts and audio descriptions will be added.
Images used on UNMC websites, social media, Canvas or in documents must have alternative text that describe what an image is showing. QR codes must be accompanied with a URL. PDF documents shared or linked from a website, Canvas course or Team site must be laid out in such a way that they are usable by low-vision technology aids.
The accessibility requirement applies to any digital content that is currently available – the wide array of web pages and content on unmc.edu, for instance – or that will be created, shared and used in programs and courses from now going forward.
All new information must be built to be accessible as it goes live or is shared. All currently used information must be remediated if it falls short of the accessibility rules. If the digital content has become unnecessary or dated – and is not accessible – it should be deleted or archived.
In addition to Title II’s requirements for digital documents, the university expects emails and attachments to be accessible as well. That means including image descriptions, using headings and subheadings in a clear order, and making sure color contrast is strong enough for easy reading.
How do I make sure documents and other content are accessible?
Tools are available to those at UNMC tasked in these areas. The work can be time-consuming and complicated, and the efforts of staff and faculty in this new era of digital accessibility are appreciated and important to UNMC’s compliance.
Web content editors around UNMC have access to a web tool called Siteimprove that scans webpages and provides tips for correcting areas in the webpages that need to be improved. Siteimprove also scans PDFs and provides background on errors that need to be remediated using other platforms. Microsoft products, such as PowerPoint and Word, offer accessibility checkers that users can click on, allowing them to review the results and fix the marked items. Canvas users have access to the Ally tool.
There is a Teams site for UNMC web content developers that includes an accessibility channel. Instructions, tips and links to resources are posted in that channel. Recordings of accessibility training also are linked there.
A list of approved accessibility tools is posted on the Teams site. This list includes document accessibility checkers that include PAC and PAVE. Note that PAC is not compatible with Macs. This list will update as new tools are approved. IT has fast-tracked the technical assessment of accessibility tools.
Also, UNMC Academic Technologies has training courses for remediating documents.
Other training, resources and assistance are available, as well. See this UNMC website – Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Guidance – for further steps that faculty and staff can take to review the federal rule, develop practical skills, get training and conform with the rules by the deadline.
What if our digital content is not accessible?
UNMC is committed to an inclusive experience and committed to complying with federal accessibility law, and there are penalties for non-compliance. In addition, NU’s policy states that compliance with the policy is the responsibility of all staff and faculty. Non-compliance will constitute a violation of NU Board of Regents bylaws and policy, which can lead to discipline.
Where can I learn more?
Accessibility work at UNMC is organized on two fronts:
- Academics and curriculum design, led by Jane Meza, PhD, interim vice chancellor of the UNMC Office of Academic Affairs.
- Websites and web applications, led by Information Technology DevOps and the Department of Strategic Communications web team.
Find contacts, helpful links and more at the Digital Accessibility at UNMC website.
Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Guidance is available at this UNMC website.
NU Executive Memorandum No. 47, the Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Policy, is available in this document.
UNMC Brandwise templates, available at this link, have been updated to meet accessibility standards. See this link for more.