Notice: Digital Accessibility Requirements added to ADA Title II
Recently the US Department of Justice issued new rules regarding digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These new regulations will have a significant impact on how universities present web content on public-facing websites and share course materials, particularly with individuals with disabilities. You can find more details below on how to prepare for the upcoming changes set to take effect April 2026.
Explore on-demand training resources designed to help you build accessible content and inclusive learning environments. These self-paced materials provide practical guidance and tools you can use anytime.
Accessibility Training for instructors
Required Instructor Accessibility Training
UNCG is taking proactive steps to prepare instructors for these upcoming changes. UNCG now has the Instructor Accessibility Training course, which focuses on accessible course design and common accessibility challenges instructors encounter in the classroom. This 2-hour, self-paced training gives an overview of accessibility awareness, instructor responsibilities, and basic principles of accessible teaching.
To access this training directly, please visit the Instructor Accessibility Training course in Vector Solutions. You will be automatically logged in via the University’s Single Sign On (SSO) process. Instructors of Record will also see this course in their personal dashboard. The training should be completed by December 15, 2025. You will receive regular reminders from Vector Solutions via email until the training is completed.
All instructors at UNCG must complete this training (one time) as part of UNCG’s compliance with updates to the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Additionally, under these updates all UNCG digital materials (including digital course materials, Canvas sites, websites, etc.) must meet basic accessibility standards by April 2026.
Additional Training for Instructors
UNCG has several resources available for instructors who need guidance on accessible course design before April 2025. Web Accessibility for Instructors: Principles of Inclusive Design is an asynchronous course that gives detailed how-to information for creating accessible course content. It’s perfect for instructors who are new to accessible design, or for those who need a refresher on the basics. You can pick and choose which modules to review, so you can focus on what you need, when you need it.
Enroll in the Web Accessibility for Instructors Course Now!
Mandatory WordPress Site Admin Digital Accessibility Training
The new Title II changes effective in April 2026 are significant enough to necessitate mandatory training for website administrators regarding accessibility awareness, digital accessibility, and compliance.
The new rules specifically state that as a public institution, we will be responsible for ensuring that all digital content meets WCAG 2.1 (level A and level AA) standards by April 2026. Digital content includes 1) public facing websites, 2) digital course materials, and 3) campus resources – including campus trainings.
As such, all UNCG site administrators are now required to complete mandatory digital accessibility training to ensure compliance and maintain access to their website(s). Additional details are below:
- Training Release Date: December 5, 2024
- Completion Deadline: February 15, 2025
- Format: Asynchronous (self-paced)
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
How to Access Training
You can access the training by visiting the following link: Web Accessibility 101 for Site Admins & Content Contributors. This training is essential to ensure that all digital content on UNCG websites meets the required accessibility standards. Compliance with these regulations is critical to creating an inclusive digital environment for all users.
*Please note, failure to complete this training by the 2/15/25 deadline will result in loss of access to your website(s).
Compliance
This initiative is supported by both the Office of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel (OIIGC) and the Web and Mobile Operating (WAMO) Committee. The WAMO Committee provides oversight for all UNCG web and mobile platforms and plays a key role in guiding our efforts towards a fully accessible web presence. The committee will also oversee compliance with the mandatory training requirement for site admins and will track their progress toward completion.
Exemption for Site Admins with Instructional or Academic Support Roles
Because instructors and academic support staff will be required to complete a separate instructor-focused training, individuals with both instructional and site admin roles will be exempt from the site admin web accessibility training requirement. The instructor-focused training will address web accessibility along with other accessibility topics relevant to instructors and academic support.
If you are a site admin with instructional responsibilities (e.g. instructor, academic technology specialist, instructional designer, or other staff role that provides direct support to instructors), contact Melanie Eley at mneley@uncg.edu to determine if you can be exempted from this training.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Melanie Eley, Web Accessibility Coordinator and WAMO Committee member at mneley@uncg.edu.
Thank you for your commitment to ensuring UNCG’s online presence remains accessible and compliant with both our internal policies and federal regulations.
Recently the US Department of Justice issued new rules regarding digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These new regulations will have a significant impact on how universities present web content on public-facing websites and share course materials, particularly with individuals with disabilities. You can find more details below on how to prepare for the upcoming changes set to take effect April 2026.
Dubbot Training
DubBot Training is Available for Site Admins
Optional DubBot training is now available to help site admins become more familiar with the tool. DubBot is a website accessibility checker that helps identify and track issues such as missing alt text, heading structure, color contrast, and broken links.
Training videos include:
While training is not required, it will be especially helpful for admins new to DubBot or those wanting to get the most out of the tool.