The U of A believes that accessibility benefits everyone. It is a key part of intuitive, universal design that removes barriers before they arise. Making digital content accessible creates real, measurable improvements for students.

To support this effort, faculty are invited to participate in "Fix Your Content Day" on Tuesday, Nov. 18, with a hands-on opportunity to enhance the accessibility of Blackboard course materials and ensure compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Faculty can participate in this in-person opportunity on campus, as well as through an online option. "Fix Your Content Day" tables will be staffed at various locations on the U of A campus. This event is hosted by IT Services in collaboration with Global Campus and sponsored by Anthology.

'Fix Your Content' Locations, Nov. 18

• Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence (CORD building), second floor: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kimpel Hall, room 319: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mullins Library, rooms 409-410: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Old Main, room 523: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

University representatives will be available at these locations to help faculty review existing Blackboard content and analyze whether it meets updated Title II regulations for accessibility. If necessary, representatives will offer instructions and suggestions for improving content and bringing it up to standard.

Are you a staff member who is looking for more information on digital accessibility? Faculty and staff are both invited to visit the Get Started page on the university's accessibility website, as well as the Accessibility Quick Start page on TIPS to learn more about how to address common accessibility issues and more.

The university's IT HOG (Hindrances, Opportunities and Guidance) Team, made up of campus IT partners, has been tasked with raising awareness, improving understanding and implementing training for faculty and staff that ensure digital accessibility and compliance with Title II of the ADA.

The IT HOG Team's primary goal is to educate faculty and staff on digital accessibility and legal obligations under Title II.

Learn how to create files in various software that meet accessibility compliance standards. This page will continue to grow with new material. Existing trainings cover updated accessibility guidelines for:

• Color and contrast
• Graphs, charts and images
• Links

Review relevant information such as trainings and workshops on TIPS that will aid in compliance.

As a state-funded university and public entity, the U of A is impacted by a U.S. Department of Justice's April 24, 2024, rule, updating its regulations for Title II of the ADA.

These updated regulations impact faculty and staff at the U of A who create or interact with digital content including online course material, documents, emails, websites and digital forms. The final rule has specific requirements to ensure that web content and mobile applications are accessible to people with disabilities.

These types of digital content must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. The new Title II rule puts an increased emphasis on the WCAG standards that include the following four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.

Faculty and staff at the U of A must adhere to the new Title II rule and its requirements by the April 24, 2026, compliance date.