FAQ
- What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility means making sure that websites, apps, and other digital tools are easy for everyone to access and use, including people with disabilities. It means making sure everyone can:
- Perceive the information (e.g., through screen readers for people with visual impairments, or captions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing).
- Operate the controls (e.g., using a keyboard instead of a mouse for people with motor disabilities).
- Understand the content (e.g., using clear language and simple layouts for people with cognitive disabilities).
- When do we have to be compliant with the new rule?
UT Southwestern must be compliant by April 24, 2026. As a state institution we have 2-years from April 24, 2024, per the rule set forth by the DOJ.
- How does this rule impact academic courses?
Web content and mobile applications must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA. This may include content that is not publicly available, such as educational content for academic courses.
- When do we have to be compliant with the new rule?
UT Southwestern must be compliant by April 24, 2026. As a state institution we have 2-years from April 24, 2024, per the rule set forth by the DOJ.
- Does UT Southwestern have a policy about digital accessibility?
- How does this rule impact academic courses?
- How does this rule impact UTSW's Health System?
Web content and mobile applications must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA.
Additionally, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) published a final rule on May 9, 2024, that interpreted Section 504 to require compliance with the same WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA.
- Does this apply to web or mobile applications that are procured from a third-party?
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
- How do I know if my documents, web content, or mobile application are WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA compliant?
You may use a mixture of automated and manual testing tools and techniques. We have a page dedicated to Accessibility Testing.
- Are there any exceptions to the rule?
There are five exceptions:
- Archived web content. Archived web content is created before April 24, 2026, clearly marked, 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 due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with UTSW.
- Individualized, password-protected or otherwise secured conventional electronic documents. These documents must be about a specific individual
- Preexisting social media posts, posted before April 24, 2026
- How do I know if my documents, web content, or mobile application are WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA compliant?
You may use a mixture of automated and manual testing tools and techniques. We have a page dedicated to Accessibility Testing.
- What do I need to start making accessible documents, web content, and mobile applications?
Start by learning the basics of Content Creation. Then you can deep-dive into specific topics or applications.
- How can we meet the deadline because we have thousands of documents?
- Start by creating accessible templates for your documents today.
- Use the templates for any new documents.
- Identify the documents that are most frequently used and update them first.
- Do some spring cleaning and delete what you can.