Feb. 2, 2026

Dear Faculty,

New legal requirements introduced by the U.S. Department of Justice that define the technical standards digital content must meet to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act—WCAG 2.1 AA—go into effect on April 24, 2026.

At the University of Rhode Island, our commitment to accessibility goes beyond meeting legal requirements to reflect our dedication to equity, inclusion, and academic excellence. By designing courses that align with accessibility standards, we ensure that every student has a meaningful opportunity to engage, learn, and thrive.

This is an important reminder that digital course content must be accessible to the greatest extent possible. This includes:

• Images: Alternative Text
• Audio/Videos:Captions and transcripts
• Proper heading structure for screen-reader navigation
• Adequate color contrast and readable fonts
• Accessible file formats (PDFs, Microsoft Word docs, PowerPoints, spreadsheets, etc.)

Support and Training Available

ITS Teaching & Learning Services (TLS) has training and support available:

• Walk-in computer stations and TLS team support: Library room 227, 8:30-4:30 M-F 
• Find training either by “Training by Topic” or “Training by Month” 
• TLS Brightspace Improvements virtual Q & A every 2nd Monday and 3rd Thursday through October 2026
• Request group training perhaps for departments and colleges
• View accessibility resources on the TLS EdTech page.