UNM Digital Accessibility Committee works to support compliance with new Title II ADA rule

Digital accessibility is no new practice for The University of New Mexico, and now a federal ruling is bringing positive change to public universities nationwide.

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule requires that all web materials and mobile apps used by public entities at federal and state levels, including colleges and universities, be accessible beginning April 24, 2026.

This rule largely works to codify values that UNM has endeavored to represent as part of its mission. Phrases like "Everyone's a Lobo" and "Each of Us Defines All of Us" are core to our community. Those phrases will now echo into UNM's digital touch points, from publishing accessible course materials, to blogs, to videos and images on social media to all other digital interactions with the University. UNM will continue to prioritize individuals with accessibility needs as a key aspect of its digital discourse and services.

So, what do "everyday digital practices" look like from the perspective of the new rule? UNM is adopting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA for web content and mobile apps. This extends to third-party contracts with vendors like Canvas, Salesforce, etc. The few exceptions to this rule can be found on the ADA.gov website.

While there is work to do to make all web content and mobile apps compliant with WCAG standards, some UNM entities have already been working to enhance digital accessibility before, during, and since the pandemic-era campus closures. In addition, the UNM Digital Accessibility Committee and working groups on university policy, communications, personnel, training, and web applications have been formed to support the future of digital accessibility and its transformation across the University.

The committee was formed at the onset of this rule to coordinate efforts and support the University's compliance plan. Those departments included on this committee are UNM's Office of Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity (CEEO), UNM Information Technologies (IT), The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), UNM Online (UNMO), University Communication and Marketing (UCAM), the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), branch campuses, faculty and other University community members coming together with shared responsibility in this important work.

More updates about professional learning opportunities for various groups, as well as policy and guidance, are coming soon from the Digital Accessibility Committee in the following months.

Members of the Lobo Community wanting to learn more about the new Title II rule and digital accessibility practices can find already existing resources here:

• DOJ Fact Sheet on the new Title II rule for further explanation
• The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) digital accessibility website
• The Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)
• The social media accessibility checklist and Social Media User Group (SMUG) presentation on accessibility