Scope of Digital Accessibility Requirements

Every University-provided digital asset that students, employees, and the public access falls under these government mandates for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. This includes websites, software, social media posts, and files.

If the university provides it, controls it, or procures it, it is likely in scope. If a student, employee, or member of the public needs to access this digital content to use a university service, participate in a university program, or fulfill a job function — it is in scope.

The categories below are not exhaustive. They are meant to help you identify the kinds of digital tools and communications that must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. When in doubt, assume a digital asset is in scope.

What Is Covered

  • Main university website and all subdomains
  • College, department, and unit websites
  • Faculty and staff profile pages
  • Event pages and calendars
  • Student portals and service platforms

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  • Any document made publicly available or distributed to students or employees including but not limited to PDFs, Word documents, Excel files, and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Forms (fillable PDFs, online submissions, etc.)
  • Syllabi, program guides, and handbooks
  • Policy and procedure documents

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  • Videos (lecture recordings, promotional, informational)
  • Audio files and podcasts
  • Live-streamed events and webinars
  • Captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions
  • Embedded media on university websites or course platforms

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  • Mass email templates
  • Email newsletters
  • Event invitations
  • Digital flyers and announcements

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  • All content uploaded to Moodle: PDFs, videos, presentations, links
  • Online course materials made available to students outside of Moodle
  • Faculty evaluation and reporting systems

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  • Student information systems (e.g., registration, advising, financial aid)
  • Internal dashboards and tools used by faculty and staff
  • Any web-based application provided by the University
  • Any digital tool or service purchased for campus-wide or departmental use
  • Third-party-hosted platforms that display or gate access to university content
  • Online payment systems, chatbots, appointment tools, survey platforms
  • Job application and recruitment portals

A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or equivalent accessibility compliance documentation must be provided by vendors before procurement approval.

  • Instagram posts and stories with embedded text or information
  • Videos shared on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms
  • Infographics shared on any social platform
  • University mobile applications

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  • Campus information kiosks
  • Touchscreens and wayfinding tools
  • Electronic bulletin boards and hallway displays