A guide to digital ADA compliance for colleges and universities
Public and private colleges and universities contribute much to society. They prepare students for the workforce, generate new knowledge, and make that knowledge available to the public. However, a lack of digital accessibility across different institutions means that individuals with disabilities are now able to benefit from educational material and participate in new discoveries.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges and universities are required to make their websites and applications accessible to individuals with disabilities. Let’s learn more about ADA compliance and how educational institutions can achieve that goal.
What is the ADA?
The ADA was the result of decades of lobbying by advocates for individuals with disabilities. Signed into law in 1990, the ADA was an offshoot of earlier legislation, such as the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and covered both public and private sector entities, including educational institutions.
Since it was enacted, the ADA has gone through several amendments. States and courts had varied interpretations of the law as it applied to websites, mobile apps, and other technology products. The latest final rule, issued by the Department of Justice in April 2024, requires Title II entities (including state colleges and universities) to make their websites compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
How can a university comply with the ADA?
While the ADA Title II final rule directly covers state colleges and universities, there are still no specific requirements for their private counterparts. Regardless of the lack of specific requirements, taking a page from the Title II requirements is always a good idea as they may also form the basis of the Title III standards.
Start complying with WCAG requirements
The cornerstone of digital ADA compliance is conformance to the WCAG, a globally recognized set of best practices and success criteria for websites and other digital media. First announced by the World Wide Web Consortium in 1998, the WCAG has gone through multiple iterations to account for changing user behavior and emerging technologies. For example, WCAG 2.2, the latest version, has success criteria that benefit touchscreen users. WCAG versions are backward compatible with earlier versions.
Perform periodic digital accessibility checks
Using the WCAG as a benchmark for accessibility, your web development and compliance teams can collaborate in performing accessibility checks. You may use manual testing, automated testing, or both to locate potential WCAG violations at the code level. For example, you may use accessibility checker software to look for images without the required alternative text or color combinations that do not have sufficient contrast. In addition, functional testing will determine your website’s usability, particularly by users with disabilities.
Raise community awareness of digital accessibility
Digital accessibility is not a goal, but a journey. As your institution adds content to its website, such as instructional videos, learning modules, or blogs, you must ensure that each piece is accessible. The only way to do this is to educate the community about the need for accessibility and the advantages of maintaining accessible digital content. Conducting educational sessions about WCAG basics is one good way to instill an awareness of accessibility.
ADA compliance: Building more inclusive institutions nationwide
As the law governing digital accessibility in the US, the ADA has a wider reach than its predecessors like the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. It is also more specific about what makes a website accessible to individuals with disabilities, particularly after the announcement of the Title II final rule. Complying with the WCAG is just the first step in your institution’s journey towards becoming more accessible, but the result – building an institution with a reputation for inclusivity – is worth the time and effort you put into accessibility.