In April 2024, the Department of Justice introduced a new rule updating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule ensures that any state and local government services available to the public or internal employees—including those provided by colleges like ACC—are accessible to people with disabilities. This applies specifically to our digital presence, meaning our websites, online content, and mobile apps must be usable by everyone.
Who is Affected?
You need to be aware of these changes if your role involves any of the following:
- Web Creators: You create or manage websites representing the College.
- Form Builders: You create online forms for students or employees (e.g., applications or program participation forms).
- Software Admins: You administer third-party software that ACC licenses or contracts with.
Steps to Compliance
To meet these new standards, ACC must ensure its digital content complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA. Based on our student population, we must be in compliance by April 24, 2026.
If you fall into one of the categories in the section above, here is how you can start:
- Review: Find the high-level WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements here.
- Check Your Content: Use tools like the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool to identify areas for improvement on your pages or forms.
- Contact Vendors: If you manage third-party software, reach out to the vendor to confirm they will be WCAG 2.1 Level AA-compliant by April 2026.
- Learn More: Visit the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division’s Accessibility web page for guidance on ADA compliance.
Questions?
Navigating these requirements can be complex, but support is available. For assistance, please contact:
- John Wilsonmay, Information Technology: [email protected]
- Edward Terry, Office of College Relations and Marketing: [email protected]