21 Title II and Digital Accessibility in Higher Education
Meet Jordan and Maya. Jordan logs into their course and easily finds everything they need, including all readings, videos, and assignments accessible from their phone. Maya, who uses a screen reader, struggles to find the same materials. The video player has no captions. The PDF has no tags. What should take minutes takes hours. Same course. Same content. It was a completely different experience.
When digital content isn’t accessible, students like Maya face barriers that can limit their ability to succeed. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination by public institutions, including public colleges and universities. It ensures that all students have equal access to educational programs, services, and opportunities regardless of ability. Please note that all public universities must be compliant by April 2026.
In a higher education setting, this includes everything from admissions and classroom teaching to learning management systems, websites, and online course materials. It also covers digital documents used in admissions and student services, such as application forms, information sheets, financial aid materials, and advising resources. These materials should be easy to read, navigate, and use with different devices or assistive technologies. When digital content is not designed with accessibility in mind, some students face unnecessary barriers to learning.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act also supports this goal. It requires all digital content and technology used by federally funded institutions to be accessible to people with disabilities. These two laws work together to guide how colleges and universities create inclusive learning environments. Many institutions follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, also known as WCAG, which outline practical ways to make digital content more usable for everyone.
Designing for accessibility is not just about meeting legal standards. It’s about valuing every learner and ensuring everyone has a fair chance of success. Whether students are using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or mobile phones, accessible design helps everyone.
Accessibility is not a bonus or an afterthought. It is a key part of creating welcoming and supportive learning experiences for all students.
Read the article below from UW Extension on ADA Compliance.
Watch the following video, “Introduction to Section 508.”
https://youtube.com/watch?v=n4lrv07J21E%3Fsi%3DAtT2o3LSrcLmEHIl
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6a8Z7OM8fjc%3Fsi%3D6sQgNEUnb9fSTCEI