Our approach to accessibility is proactive and collaborative, supported by University-wide policies, regular training, and continuous improvement efforts.
Federal & State Requirements
Our digital accessibility initiative is driven by two key mandates:
Together, they require all public-facing digital content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance by April 2026.
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.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards that define how to make web/digital content more accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG focuses on four key principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA Requirements
WCAG 2.1 Level AA includes a set of accessibility standards designed to ensure web content is usable by a broad range of people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and neurological challenges.
- Text Alternatives: Provide alt text for images so screen readers can describe them.
- Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all functionality is available using only a keyboard.
- Color Contrast: Use sufficient contrast between text and background for readability.
- Video Captions: Provide captions for all video content.
- Headings and Structure: Use proper heading levels (H1, H2, etc.) for screen reader navigation.
- Error Identification: Clearly identify input errors in forms and explain how to correct them.
- Descriptive Links: Use meaningful link text (e.g., “Apply Now” instead of “Click Here”).
- Responsive Design: Ensure content is accessible on various screen sizes and devices.