From the Dean: Website accessibility policy updates
In response to a new federal rule from the U.S. Department of Justice, the University of Georgia has launched a coordinated effort to meet accessibility requirements. The new rule requires all state entities to ensure their websites and digital content are accessible to individuals with disabilities by April 24, 2026. This includes all programs, services, and instructional materials delivered digitally. Compliance must align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.
Accessibility, under this rule, means providing equal access. At its core, it is about removing barriers so that individuals do not face unnecessary obstacles when engaging with our resources. This means content must be usable by all people, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or circumstances.
What does this mean for you?
Faculty and staff are now responsible for ensuring that every digital asset submitted to the web team is in compliance before the web team uploads the asset to any Mary Frances Early College of Education website. For example:
- Every video must have closed captions
- Every audio-only asset must have a complete transcript
- Every image must have a text-only description (including images within your documents)
- Every document (Word, PDF, Google Doc, etc.) must be created using proper page structure (not merely font changes, but actual heading levels)
PDFs are often the “final-form” electronic document format of choice, so it’s important that they be made accessible, including your CV.
We understand that this new commitment to accessibility will require learning new skills, and that can seem challenging, but the goal is an important one shared among all of us. Below is a list of links and resources that can help. Additionally, UGA Digital Accessibility Services offers various training and support options, including weekly office hours to answer targeted questions about digital accessibility.
The web team is responsible for ensuring we comply with this federal law, so content that does not comply will not be uploaded, and some sites may have to be taken down until they comply.