The UIS community is committed to ensuring that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can access our services and resources. Recent changes in accessibility regulations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) will help us achieve this goal.

Key Changes and Impact on Our Campus

The DOJ’s final rule ensures that all our web and mobile services, programs, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This means everyone can use these services independently and privately, without needing special requests or alternative formats.

For UIS, this means:

• Impact on Course Content in Canvas: Faculty will ensure that all course materials on Canvas are accessible from the start, following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. This proactive approach means that many students with disabilities won’t need to request accommodations, ensuring equal access to educational resources.
• Web Content and Mobile Applications: All our online content and mobile apps will meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. This includes everything from course materials to administrative forms, ensuring everyone can access our services easily.
• Implications for Staff Posting on Social Media: Staff managing our official social media accounts will ensure all new content is accessible. This includes adding alt text to images, captioning videos, and writing posts that screen readers can easily interpret. Training will be provided to help staff meet these requirements, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity.
• Proactive Accessibility: We are committed to making all digital content accessible from the outset. This aligns with our goal of eliminating barriers in education for our students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
• Exceptions: Limited exceptions include archived web content, certain third-party content, and preexisting, non-essential documents. However, any content that falls under these exceptions must be made accessible upon request in a timely manner.

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff will have access to resources and support to ensure all digital materials meet accessibility standards. The Office of Digital Accessibility team is here to help with this transition, collaborating with other campus units to provide guidance on creating accessible course content and website accessible content.

Next Steps for Compliance

UIS is dedicated to fully complying with these new regulations. We are auditing all current digital materials to identify areas for improvement and forming a task force to oversee the implementation of our compliance plan.

Newly Published Content Must be Completely Accessible as of April 24, 2026

Starting April 24, 2026, all new digital content on UIS platforms will be fully accessible. This ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can access our educational and administrative resources.

Exceptions for Archived Content

For any content that is determined to meet the archive exception, use the following language:

"For archived content, we will provide accessible versions upon request. If you need an accessible version of any archival material, please contact us at [INSERT EMAIL CONTACT]."

Consequences for Noncompliance

Noncompliance can lead to legal actions, civil litigation, funding implications, reputational damage, and compliance reviews. We are committed to avoiding these consequences by ensuring all our digital content is accessible.

Digital Accessibility Assistance

The Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA) and its Digital Accessibility Remediation Team (DART) can help you ensure that your Word documents, PowerPoints, PDFs, video lectures, podcasts, and other materials meet the accessibility requirements outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Email ODA today to join the queue for an accessibility check of your materials. For Canvas course accessibility questions, please contact COLRS.

For more information on the DOJ’s final rule and our compliance strategies, please contact the Office of Digital Accessibility. You can also request a Digital Accessibility Training for your department, unit, or team, and you are welcome to attend any of the digital accessibility workshops offered throughout the year.

Looking Forward

This ruling is a significant step towards inclusivity, ensuring everyone in our community has equal access to resources. UIS is dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can achieve their full potential.

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