In case you missed it, please read the following update on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from Provost Starnes’ Academic Affairs Newsletter – April 2026:
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Digital Accessibility
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Title II digital accessibility requirements include additional components related to how we create, publish, and maintain digital content such as course materials, social media, websites, and other communications. While these requirements were originally set to be enforced beginning April 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice has issued an Interim Final Rule delaying enforcement of the digital accessibility rule by one year. This means that public entities serving populations of 50,000 (which includes institutions like WCU, as part of the UNC System) will now be required to comply by April 24, 2027.
Even with this delay, WCU is continuing to move forward with accessibility efforts because accessible content supports our students, employees, and community and helps ensure everyone can fully participate in all aspects of the university. Building accessibility into digital content from the outset reduces the need for later remediation and helps ensure content is usable by the widest possible audience from the start. WCU is offering resources to support this work, including guidance aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are internationally recognized standards for accessible digital content. Our learning management system, Canvas, also includes tools that can help address accessibility. Please visit digitalaccessibility.wcu.edu for additional information and watch for future updates.