FAQ

Digital accessibility means designing websites, apps, documents, and other digital tools so that everyone—including people with disabilities—can access, navigate, and use them with ease. Effective digital accessibility ensures that all users can:

• Perceive information
  People can get information using their senses: see, hear, and/or read the information. For example, people who are blind or have low vision can use screen readers, and people who are deaf or hard of hearing can use captions or transcripts.
• Operate controls and navigation
  People can use buttons, menus, and links in different ways to navigate through websites or documents. For example, someone with limited movement can use a keyboard, voice, or assistive tool instead of a mouse.
• Understand the content
  Clear words, consistent design, and simple layouts help people, including those with learning or thinking challenges, to understand what the information means.
• Interpret content
  Content is designed to work reliably on different devices, browsers, and assistive tools, both now and in the future.

The DOJ rule gives organizations our size two years from when the rule is published to meet accessibility requirements. Since the rule was published on April 24, 2024, our compliance deadline is April 24, 2026. We recognize that there is still more work ahead and that efforts to ensure full accessibility across all UTSW digital assets will extend beyond the April 24, 2026, compliance deadline.

Yes, there are two related policies: ETH-151 and ADM-358. The Equal Opportunity policy (ETH-151) states we must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA. The Registration and Guidelines for Externally Hosted Websites and Mobile Applications policy (ADM-358) requires externally hosted and mobile applications to comply with Digital Accessibility guidelines.

• Explore UTSW’s Digital Accessibility resources
  Learn how to create and test accessible materials by role and content type.
• Archive any outdated documents
  Content created before April 24, 2026 may qualify to be archived if it is clearly marked as archived and retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping purposes. Archived content must not be required for active participation in UTSW programs, services or activities.
• Use approved accessible templates for MS Word and PowerPoint
  Accessible templates offer pre-designed structure and formatting that assist in creating and maintaining accessible content.
• Focus first on high priority, frequently used public facing digital assets
  Prioritize the applications, websites, mobile apps, and documents that are most frequently used by the public or students to make an immediate impact.

Accessibility widgets generally do not, by themselves, bring web content into compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA and in some cases create barriers for users of assistive technology. They also do not meet the ADA Title II requirement that users with disabilities have substantially equivalent ease of use. UTSW therefore will not accept an accessibility widget alone as evidence of compliance.

You may use the automated and manual testing tools, techniques, and resources listed on the UTSW Digital Accessibility Testing resource site. You may also use the accessibility checkers available in Microsoft applications.

There are five exceptions:

• Archived web content created before April 24, 2026, clearly marked as archived, and retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping.
• Preexisting “conventional electronic documents,” including PDFs, word processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, unless they are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in UTSW programs, services, or activities.
• Content posted by a third party, unless the third party is posting content due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with UTSW.
• Individualized documents that are password-protected or otherwise secured, including documents that are about a specific person, property, or account.
• Preexisting social media posts posted before April 24, 2026.

Yes, the rule states that all web content and mobile applications must adhere to the new rule. To get started check out our Procuring Accessible Technology and How to Interpret a VPAT

Our priority is to address digital accessibility for public-facing content and high-impact systems used by students, patients, and the public. Internal, employee-only content remains in scope but is being prioritized based on risk and level of use.

• Tier 1 – High-visibility public-facing Web sites, applications, mobile apps, and digital documents used most frequently by the public, patients, or students.
• Tier 2 – Lower-visibility public-facing Web sites, applications, mobile apps, and digital documents used less frequently by the public, patients, or students.
• Tier 3 – High-visibility internal-facing (UTSW employees) Web sites, applications, mobile apps, and digital documents used most frequently by UT Southwestern constituents.
• Tier 4 – Lower-visibility internal-facing (UTSW employees) Web sites, applications, mobile apps, and digital documents used less frequently by UT Southwestern constituents.