Federal regulations require public institutions, including UNC Charlotte, to ensure that websites, mobile applications and digital content are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities.
The new Title II regulations require a transformative change in how public universities approach digital accessibility. With a clear compliance deadline of April 26, 2027, and the adoption of a technical standard (WCAG 2.1 AA), institutions must take proactive steps to ensure their digital content is accessible and usable by all. Understanding the broad coverage of these regulations and the specific exceptions is crucial for successful compliance. By embracing these changes, universities can lead the way in creating digital spaces that reflect their commitment to accessibility and equal opportunity.
Please Note: Several current regulations require public institutions, including UNC Charlotte, to ensure that websites, mobile applications and digital content are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. Additionally, University Policy 319: Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications and Procedures Supplemental to University Policy 319, Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Applications are currently in effect.
What This Means
- All digital content—including websites, documents, instructional materials, forms, audio and video—should be created with accessibility in mind.
- The University remains committed to providing accessible programs, services and information.
- Accessibility expectations are ongoing and are not limited to a single compliance deadline.
Our Commitment
Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. While the timeline for specific technical compliance has shifted, the expectation to provide inclusive and usable digital experiences remains unchanged. The University will continue to support the campus community through guidance, training and resources to meet accessibility standards.
Introduction to WCAG 2.1 AA
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published new regulations addressing digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The new rules significantly expand digital accessibility requirements for UNC Charlotte as a public institution, impacting all university units and functions. The revised rule mandates that all web content and mobile apps (digital content) must be:
- Readily accessible to and useable by people with disabilities upfront; and
- Fully conformant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, Levels A and AA (WCAG 2.1) by April 26, 2027.
The revised regulations apply to all public-facing, student-facing, and employee-facing content, whether provided directly by the university or through third parties.
Meeting these new requirements necessitates a fundamental culture shift—from a reactive approach, responding to individual accommodation requests, to proactively ensuring all digital content is accessible from the start.
This page summarizes key requirements of the revised regulation and is not intended as legal advice.
Broad Coverage of the Regulations
The new regulations apply broadly to web content, which is anything viewable via a web browser, including conventional electronic documents and mobile applications (“apps,” software applications that are downloaded and designed to run on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets). Digital content that a public entity provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, must be accessible. This includes all course-related materials, including those within Canvas and other documents behind a login.
Examples of the categories and types of digital content covered by the new regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Websites and web applications such as university websites, departmental sites, and faculty pages, including both public sites and websites or webpages behind a login; online portals for student services, registration, and financial transactions; online research applications; library databases; web-based learning management systems such as Canvas; admission forms, course schedules, and interactive maps.
- Mobile Apps such as university-developed or provided mobile applications for campus navigation, transportation, parking, and services; apps for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, or participating in forums; emergency notification apps.
- Digital Documents and Materials such as PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, and Word documents that are used for instructional or informational purposes; e-books and academic journals available online; digital newsletters and email communications from the university.
- Multimedia Content such as online video lectures, webinars, and instructional videos; audio recordings and podcasts; live-streamed and recorded events and conferences.
- E-Learning and Online Courses such as online course content and platforms; web-based textbooks; web-based and mobile tools for submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and taking exams; video conferencing tools used for virtual classrooms.