About the ADA Title II

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new ruling for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, which requires state and local governments to comply with a set of technical standards for digital accessibility based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. Under this regulation, the university is responsible for bringing its websites, course sites, mobile applications, and other digital content into compliance.

Why Digital Accessibility Matters

Digital accessibility ensures that everyone — regardless of ability — can access and engage with online content, tools, and resources. As an institution committed to fostering a community that accepts and values everyone, we must ensure that our digital environment is accessible to individuals with diverse learning needs, including those who use screen readers, rely on keyboard navigation, or experience cognitive or visual challenges.

Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also the law. ADA Title II and the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that digital content be usable by people with disabilities. Noncompliance can lead to formal complaints, legal action, and reputational harm. More importantly, it can exclude members of our community from participating fully in their education or work.

By prioritizing accessibility from the start, we not only meet legal obligations — we create a more welcoming, effective, and equitable digital experience for everyone.

Digital Accessibility Timeline

What does the initiative look like at KU Medical Center? The offices of ADA Compliance, Information Technology, and Communications are collaborating on this project to support faculty, staff, and students.

• June - July 2025: Deploy team, finalize project plan, audit current fall 2025 courses, web and intranet content to establish remediation process
• Auust - October 2025: Launch resources site, prioritize content review, create Ally dashboard
• November 2025 - February 2027: Develop tools and training, improve communication, track SharePoint
• March - April 2027: Assess progress, enhance support, audit accessibility status
• May 2027 and Beyond: Integrate accessibility practice, expand training, continuous monitoring for sustained compliance