Following the April 2024 update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, public universities are required to ensure that all digital content is fully accessible to all individuals by April 2026. This includes all third-party applications used by the University community, whether paid or free.
When procuring digital content and technology, it’s crucial to:
- include accessibility requirements in Requests for Proposals, citing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 or 2.2) as the minimum accessibility standards we must meet;
- request and review Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs), and ensure vendors provide updated accessibility documentation; and
- evaluate the accessibility of an application using common accessibility evaluation tools.
Embedding accessibility into the procurement process promotes inclusivity and ensures compliance with relevant laws and policies, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 504 & 508), and the University’s Web and Digital Materials Accessibility Policy.
A proactive approach is paramount as accessibility is everyone’s assignment. Training and resources to prepare employees for the new requirements are available on UA LMS and the Technology Accessibility website.