Digital Accessibility
As essential services and information increasingly move online, the need for universal accessibility is more critical than ever.
The Title II legislation shows a strong commitment to digital inclusion, emphasizing that accessible web content and mobile apps are not only a legal requirement but also a moral and ethical responsibility.
By prioritizing digital accessibility, we’re not just meeting compliance standards; we’re enhancing the educational experience for everyone.
Title II and Higher Education
(Terminal Four blog by Little Forest)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has long required public entities, including higher education institutions, to provide equal access to their services, programs, and activities. As technology has advanced and this mandate has extended to the digital realm, many institutions have been struggling to comply and ensure their digital footprint is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. To address this, the US Department of Justice created new technical standards for web content and mobile app accessibility, now known as Title II. It aims to provide concrete guidance on how to fulfill their ADA obligations and ensure equal access to government services for all.
Title II of the ADA prohibits the exclusion of individuals with disabilities from participating in or benefiting from the services, programs, or activities of public entities—that includes public-facing websites, documents, forms, and content. For Harford, this includes websites, OwlNet, email, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, SharePoint, social media, forms, .pdf documents, and more. It also includes content available on BrightSpace and/or any platform available on or from a computer or mobile device.
Accessible vs Available
Availability refers to whether something exists for use, while accessibility focuses on whether that item can be easily reached, used, or navigated by everyone, regardless of ability. Availability is about existence. Accessibility is about usability and equitable access. Just because a website exists, it doesn't mean it is accessible to everyone.
What can you do right now?
- Assess current accessibility
- Develop a plan for your department
- Take accessibility training courses
- Monitor your digital materials
- Talk to your team about accessibility
- Enforce accessibility requirements
Key requirements of the new rule
The new rule outlines specific technical requirements to make higher education and government web content and mobile applications accessible. Here are the key requirements you should know about and what you need to do.
Web Content Accessibility
BASED ON: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG Version 2.1, Level AA is the
technical standard)
- Providing text alternatives for non-text content (e.g., images, videos, audio)
- Ensuring that all functionality is available from a keyboard
- Providing clear and consistent navigation and orientation cues
- Ensuring that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust
Mobile App Accessibility
BASED ON: Mobile Accessibility: Web Content and Apps (MWCAG) guidelines
- Ensuring that all app functionality is accessible to users with disabilities
- Providing clear instructions and guidance for using accessibility features
- Ensuring that the app's user interface is designed for accessibility
- Providing alternative ways to access content and complete tasks