Digital accessibility for all
Imagine trying to access essential services online, only to hit a roadblock because the digital environment isn’t designed with you in mind. According to the University of Minnesota Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA), “about 20% of the world and the U.S. population experiences disability during their lifespan.” In our present day, when engagement in public services, programs and activities often requires accessing digital content and services, we must design for accessibility from the start.What is the Title II digital accessibility rule?
Title II is a regulation within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that requires state and local governments to make sure that their services, programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. At its core, this law is about making sure everyone has an opportunity to equally participate in public life.An April 2024 ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice clarified what this means for digital content and services, underscoring the importance of digital accessibility as essential to full engagement and inclusion.This means that all digital content is accessible from the start instead of placing the burden on individuals to request accommodations. Simply put, it’s a proactive rather than reactive approach that benefits everyone.
As Dean Durgan recently stated, “Digital accessibility is not just a legal matter: it is what Extension must do to ensure our programs are available for everyone. Digital accessibility ensures that all people, including those with disabilities, have equal access to materials, which enhances their engagement and success.”
All digital content and services (with few, limited exceptions) must be accessible by April 2026. Join Extension's First Fridays webinar on Feb. 7 with ODA Director, Khaled Musa, to learn more.
Getting started
Build initial understanding
Digital content must conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard but you don’t need to dive into these technical standards to get started! The Office of Digital Accessibility translated these standards into 7 core skills that, when applied, will greatly improve accessibility of all content. It takes a little effort to build these skills, but once you do, they become second nature. You can build your digital accessibility skills by:
- Joining ELT's self-paced Rockstar Tour to master (or refresh) the 7 core skills for creating accessible content - Swiftie style! Watching the ODA webinar recording on seven core skills for accessibility
- Reading the Dec. 2024 Extension Quick Bytes blog post “Getting in the habit of creating accessible content”
Follow the 3-Rs framework
Remove (and archive, as needed) digital content that is no longer relevant for your audience. For example:
- Inactive files in drives shared with many collaborators
- Course files that are uploaded but not utilized in your online course
- Select a place to start by asking yourself “in what ways do I share digital content most frequently?”
- Examine your content for accessibility:
- The UDOIT checker in Canvas courses will report on accessibility. Contact your digital learning connector to learn more.
- Use the Microsoft accessibility checker or Adobe checker on documents, slides and spreadsheets.
- An accessibility checker for Google Suite is coming spring/summer 2025!
Make it right first to save a ton of time later and create digital spaces that are welcoming for everyone! Engage in ongoing learning, including the ODA’s Digital Badging self-paced courses and the Accessibility Ambassadors monthly webinars to apply best practices when creating digital content.
Digital accessibility isn’t just a requirement: it’s an opportunity to create more inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone. Start small, stay curious and let’s build a more accessible digital world together!
Article by Shona Burke, Extension Learning Technologies, sfburke@umn.edu
Comments
Post a Comment