Digital accessibility ensures that technology and digital content—including instructional materials, audio, videos, documents, forms, and websites—are usable by individuals with diverse hearing, motor, visual, and cognitive abilities. An environment that is accessible and inclusive by design supports the University’s education, research, and outreach mission.
By April 24, 2026, all digital content created for University business must be accessible.
Who’s Responsible?
Everyone is responsible for ensuring the digital content they create or maintain for University business is accessible.
Faculty and Instructors
The Office of E-Learning Services (ELS) is preparing to work with faculty, instructors, and TAs to make Canvas course sites and other digital learning materials accessible.
Staff
Staff are responsible for the accessibility of the digital content they create, even on behalf of others.
What Can You Do Now?
Learn to write effective alternative text for images, maintain proper color contrast, structure content with headings and lists, create accessible links, and more!
Utilize the 3Rs framework (remove, revise, right first) to help break up and prioritize upcoming accessibility work and guide your next steps toward meeting the digital accessibility deadline.
- Take the Digital Accessibility: Foundations Course
In this course, participants will learn what digital accessibility means, why it matters, and how it can be incorporated into their daily work. [1 hour, self-paced online] - Create Accessible Google Documents using GrackleDocs Accessibility Checker
GrackleDocs is an add-on within Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. You can use it to check the accessibility of your content and find options for fixing any flagged issues.
Projected Timeline
In April 2024, the Department of Justice issued a final rule under Title II of the ADA, requiring state and local governments, including public universities like the University of Minnesota, to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. In response to these stricter federal regulations, the university’s Office of General Counsel implemented a new university-wide accessibility policy.
- Winter/Spring 2025: SPH Communications will conduct website and email content audits. Contacts for SPH-affiliated websites will be determined.
- Summer/Fall 2025: SPH Communications will begin working with site/content owners on accessibility remediation plans.
- Winter/Spring 2026: SPH will begin content revisions and accessibility fixes.
People Supporting This Work
Tom Stanoch, Web Manager and WEDAC Lead
Will answer questions about new digital accessibility requirements and timeline, accessibility auditing tools, opportunities for training and support, and best practices.
Kaia Sievert, Learning Technologist
Emily Hietpas, Course Developer
Will answer questions about making your course accessible or scheduling a course accessibility consult.
Elizabeth Wattenberg, Associate Dean of Education and Student Engagement & SPH Academic Digital Accessibility Liaison
Will answer questions about academic digital accessibility strategy.
Additional Support
- Anne Marie Hotop, Project Manager
- Rachel Smith, Director of Communications & Marketing
- Lauren Jones, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Jeff Johnson, Director of Information Technology
