Digital Accessibility Requirements

Digital accessibility at UL Lafayette is guided by federal law, state policy, and internationally recognized technical standards. This section explains what we are required to do, who is responsible, and what is covered.

Understand the technical standard all digital content must meet with this WCAG 2.1 AA Overview.

Read UL Lafayette’s formal Web Accessibility Policy.

See every category of digital asset covered by the requirements in the Scope of these Digital Accessibility Requirements.

Understand what responsibilities are expected of you in your role. 

Why These Requirements Exist

Two key mandates drive our digital accessibility initiative:

  • Louisiana PPM-74 (PDF) — the state’s Web Accessibility Compliance policy, which went into effect February 10, 2025, and requires all public higher education institutions to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
  • Federal order for nondiscrimination based on disability — a 2024 Department of Justice rule that formally adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the binding technical standard for state and local government digital content, with a compliance deadline of April 24, 2027.

Together, these requirements cover all public-facing digital content the university provides — not just the main website, but course materials, documents, email communications, social media, digital tools, and third-party platforms.

Meeting these mandated requirements will require deep, systemic changes to our workflows, accountability structures, and digital culture, ensuring accessibility is integrated into every stage of content creation, procurement, and platform development.

Watch an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which influences the federal and state requirements.

Our Approach

UL Lafayette’s approach to digital accessibility is proactive and collaborative. We do not treat accessibility as a one-time project or a checklist to complete before an audit. It is an ongoing institutional responsibility, supported by the Digital Governance & Accessibility (DGA) Council, training resources, and continuous monitoring.

  • University-wide policies and standards that define what is required
  • Regular training and guidance for content creators across all departments
  • Automated and manual monitoring of digital properties
  • A clear process for reporting accessibility barriers and requesting accommodations

Not sure where to start? Visit Fix Your Content for step-by-step guidance based on your role.