Accessibility Guidelines

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule requires LC State's web content, including academic course content, to be accessible on April 26, 2027, and beyond.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Digital accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, navigate, and interact with digital content. It goes beyond compliance, aiming to create an inclusive experience for everyone.

Requirements of the Rule

The rule mandates that all web content, mobile apps, and electric documents from LC State need to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and AA. This impacts all of LC State's websites, digital tools, and documents, making accessibility a shared responsibility across campus.

Public entities are to ensure that web content and mobile apps made available directly or through a contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, are readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Resources

Accessibility Services provides resources and support to create accessible digital content.

  • Faculty: For assistance creating accessible documents for your courses, contact your assigned Instructional Designer in eLearning Services. You can review the information in the "Access for All" course located in Canvas.
  • Staff: For assistance creating accessible documents for your departments or divisions, contact Accessibility Services. In coordination with eLearning Services, they offer PDTs and workshops on accessible documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Archived web content.
  2. Pre-existing conventional electronic documents (unless documents are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in the public entity's services, programs, or activities).
  3. Content posted to an institution's website or mobile app by third parties. unless those parties have a contract, license, or arrangement to port to institutional websites.
  4. Individualized documents that are password-protected, conventional electronic documents about a specific individual, their property, or their account that are password-protected or otherwise secured.
  5. Pre-existing social media posts made by an institution before the date the institution must comply with this rule do not need to meet the WCAG 2.1, Level AA standard.

LC State is in the process of going through documents on the backend and you will be notified if your department's documents are up to (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and AA standards.

Web editors and employees will need to be trained to create accessible digital content. Please, take the "Access for All" Canvas course.

All faculty and staff at LC State are automatically enrolled in the Canvas course. This course has instructional content, videos, and examples of accessible documents. If you do not see it on your dashboard, email eLearning Services to be added.

Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make sure that their services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. Title II applies to all services, programs, or activities of state and local governments, from adoption services to zoning regulation. This includes the services, programs, and activities that state and local governments offer online and through mobile apps.