April 23, 2026

Dear URI Faculty, Staff, and Students,

At the University of Rhode Island, we are committed to building inclusive environments that reflect our shared values. As a public land- and sea-grant institution, accessibility is central to our mission—ensuring all members of our community can fully engage with the information, opportunities, and experiences we provide.

Digital accessibility is a key part of that commitment. From websites and social media to course materials and documents, the content we create must be usable by everyone. This work reflects who we are and is a responsibility we share across the institution.

For more than two years, a dedicated Digital Accessibility Working Group composed of subject-matter experts at the University has led focused efforts to expand resources, guidance, and support across campus. Their ongoing work is outlined in a compliance plan, available on the site linked below, that helps guide our progress and priorities.

Recent updates to federal regulations reinforce the importance of this work. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA—now adopted as the standard for public institutions—provide a clear framework for making digital content more accessible, usable, and inclusive for all.

While the compliance deadline under the Americans with Disabilities Act for institutions like ours has been extended from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027, we continue to monitor other applicable federal and state compliance obligations and our commitment remains unchanged. We will continue moving forward with intention and urgency to ensure our digital spaces meet both our values and our responsibilities.

If you create, manage, or publish digital content, including course content, on behalf of the University, we invite you to explore a new digital accessibility website: uri.edu/accessibility. You’ll find guidance, tools, and resources to support your work. Together, we can ensure our digital presence is welcoming, usable, and accessible to all.

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the Digital Accessibility Working Group for their ongoing hard work and dedication. Their contributions have been invaluable. Members of the working group include Brandon Fuller, assistant director of digital strategy; Lauren Jensen, deputy general counsel; Karen Lokey, associate director of ITS innovation services; Catherine Scott, manager of social media and marketing; Heather Sharpes-Smith, executive director of URI Online, Office of the Provost; and Dorca Smalley, director of equal opportunity, ADA/504 coordinator.

Sincerely,
Abby Benson
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Matt McDonald
Vice President for Communications and Marketing