As part of our ongoing efforts to prepare for the April 2026 ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements, the University of Â鶹ƵµÀ Western is continuing a phased approach to strengthening access to public-facing digital content.
Digital accessibility ensures that individuals with disabilities can access university information, programs, and services equally. Our goal is to improve usability and remove barriers for all users.
Standards & Alignment
Western’s accessibility standards are aligned with guidance and policies established by University of Â鶹ƵµÀ and Â鶹ƵµÀ State University. These institutions follow WCAG AA standards for public-facing web and digital content, which serve as the current benchmark for accessibility in higher education.
Additional federal guidance is available through the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2024 ADA Title II web accessibility rule.
Implementation Timeline
December 2025
- Launched the Digital Accessibility Hub to centralize standards, guidance, and support
- Published initial web and document accessibility best practices
- Began campus content review and assessment
January 2026
- Continued review of public-facing PDFs and webpages
- Began structured document triage (remediate, archive, or remove)
- Initiated outreach to affiliate and vendor-managed websites to clarify accessibility expectations
February 2026
- Communicated accessibility expectations to campus directors
- Established twice-weekly Digital Accessibility Office Hours for staff (non-course related)
- Implemented a review and tracking process for newly uploaded PDFs
- Continued prioritization of high-impact, public-facing content
Current Focus
Western’s current priorities include:
- High-traffic webpages
- Student-facing forms and required documents
- Public reports and accreditation-related materials
- Building accessibility review into regular publishing workflows
Accessibility is generally managed by the unit that publishes content, with support and guidance available from ITS and the Â鶹ƵµÀ Web Team.
Ongoing Commitment
Digital accessibility is an ongoing institutional effort. Western will continue to provide updates as implementation progresses and as additional guidance becomes available.
For additional standards, resources, and support information, please visit the Digital Accessibility Hub.