Below is a general overview of our project goals and anticipated timeline. This will continue to evolve as we refine project scope, complete internal assessments and coordinate across units.
Project Goals
- Ensure all new and existing university digital content meets or exceeds WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements.
- Promote equal access to websites, instructional materials, documents, media and digital systems.
- Support units in identifying inaccessible content and developing remediation plans.
- Provide centralized guidance, training and tools to support compliance across departments.
- Foster a campus culture that values intentional design and digital opportunity for all.
Phase 1: Planning and Infrastructure
(Spring–Summer 2024)
- Review and finalize Policy 909: Digital Accessibility implementation scope.
- Establish a digital accessibility governance board and core project team.
- Identify high-priority digital content areas.
- Begin evaluating and/or creating digital accessibility tools and resources.
- Begin developing communications and training strategies.
Phase 2: Communication, Assessment and Training
(Summer 2024–Fall 2025)
- Launch awareness campaign (campuswide email, website updates, executive talking points).
- Begin campuswide outreach and training.
- Add to compliance resources and support website/documentation.
- Audit internal websites and third-party, external websites, and begin preparing for internal website migration to an accessible platform.
- Update Policy 909: Digital Accessibility to include a Digital Accessibility Liaison to lead digital accessibility efforts per campus area. Begin identifying and training Digital Accessibility Liaisons.
- Launch time-limited Digital Accessibility Champions program for faculty support.
- Provide consultations and role-specific guidance.
Phase 3: Continued Outreach, Evaluation and Remediation
(Spring 2026)
- Reinforce guidance through targeted communications, consultations and training opportunities.
- Continue migration of internal websites.
- Continue identifying and training Digital Accessibility Liaisons.
- Evaluate compliance resources and refine documentation.
- Launch proof of concept of new PDF remediation tool.
- Review digital accessibility governance board membership for ongoing compliance review and refresh as needed.
Phase 4: Reporting
(Summer 2026)
- Archive and document compliance plans for audit purposes.
- Submit internal summary report to university leadership and external auditors if required.
Ongoing Review and Compliance
- Ensure ongoing WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards compliance across core platforms and content.
- Continue to evaluate compliance resources and refine documentation as needed.
- Continue website migration as needed.
- Continue outreach to campus areas to identify and train Digital Accessibility Liaisons as needed.
- Refresh digital accessibility governance board membership as needed.