New ADA rule mandates digital accessibility compliance


The Department of Justice has issued additional rules under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requiring public entities, including colleges and universities, to ensure all digital content complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards. This applies to websites, apps, course materials, social media, and other digital content, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.

The University of Minnesota has until April 24, 2026, to meet these standards across all digital platforms.

What is WCAG 2.1 AA?

WCAG 2.1 AA is an internationally recognized standard based on four principles (POUR):

  • Perceivable: Content must be presented in ways all users can perceive (e.g., text alternatives for images).
  • Operable: Users must be able to navigate the site via various methods (e.g., keyboard or voice).
  • Understandable: Content and interactions should be clear and intuitive.
  • Robust: Content must work reliably with current and future assistive technologies.

WCAG Conformance Levels

WCAG has three levels of conformance:

  • A: Basic accessibility; not sufficient for Title II ADA compliance.
  • AA: The required level for compliance, ensuring accessibility for most assistive technologies.
  • AAA: The highest standard. While not required, the University of Minnesota strives for AAA whenever possible.

Four Principles of WCAG

  1. Perceivable
    All users should be able to access your website's content. Perceivability ensures that everyone, including those using assistive technologies, can access the same information.
    • Text contrast: Ensure a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text (less than 14-points), and 3:1 for large text (bold text that is 14-points or larger, or non-bolded text that is 18-point or larger).
    • Alt text: Add meaningful descriptions to images and graphics.
    • Captions: Provide captions for all videos and audio content.
    • Headings: Use proper heading structure for clarity.
    • Text resizing: Ensure text can be resized up to 200% without losing functionality.
  2. Operable
    Users should be able to navigate your website or app easily, regardless of ability. This means your site must work with various tools, like keyboards and assistive technologies, for inclusive access.
    • Keyboard navigation: Ensure all functionality works via a keyboard.
    • No flashing content: Avoid flashing elements to prevent triggering seizures.
    • Descriptive links: Use clear, meaningful link text (e.g., "Learn more about accessibility" instead of "Click here").
    • Multiple navigation options: Offer search bars, sitemaps, or menus.
  3. Understandable
    Website content and operation should be clear and easy to understand. This means presenting information in a way that is simple to grasp, especially for users with cognitive or learning disabilities.
    • Consistent navigation: Use the same menus and layouts across pages.
    • Simple language: Avoid jargon and provide definitions for complex terms.
    • Error prevention: Allow users to review and correct forms before submission.
  4. Robust
    Website content and features should work seamlessly with assistive technologies and adapt to future tools, ensuring accessibility with devices like screen readers now and in the future.
    • Test compatibility: Ensure your site works with assistive technologies like screen readers.
    • Cross-browser testing: Verify functionality across major browsers.

Testing Accessibility

Testing your digital content for accessibility requires both manual and automated tools. Automated tools catch 30-50% of issues, making manual testing essential.

Resources and Readings

If you have questions on digital accessibility, or have questions on an accessibility project, please contact the University Relations Web team at urweb@umn.edu, or the Office of Digital Accessibility at oda@umn.edu.

Topics: Tips and Tricks Web