{"687658":{"#nid":"687658","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Strengthening Georgia Tech\u2019s Commitment to Accessibility","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is committed to fostering an accessible environment where all members of our community can learn, engage, and thrive. Creating accessible digital experiences is a critical component of this commitment and reflects our institutional values of excellence and community well-being.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a public institution, Georgia Tech also has a legal responsibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that our websites, digital content, online services, and digital communication tools are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile Georgia Tech has already established protocols to provide accessible services to our students, faculty, and staff, there is more we can do to provide exceptional digital resources to our community,\u201d said Jarmon DeSadier, vice president for Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management (EOCCM). \u201cAccessibility is not a one-time checklist; it is an ongoing, shared responsibility where all members of the Georgia Tech community who create, manage, or share digital content help ensure an accessible learning and working environment. We realize this effort will add to people\u2019s workload in the short-term, and we are taking a strategic approach to digital accessibility and working to ensure the right tools and resources are in place to best support the community.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUpdated Guidance on Accessible Digital Content\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued updated guidance under Title II of the ADA, clarifying that public universities must ensure that their digital content and services are accessible. As such, Georgia Tech is working toward the goal of making digital content accessible to all community members by the DOJ\u2019s deadline of April 24.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Digital Accessibility Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EAccessible digital content benefits everyone who engages with Georgia Tech. Specifically, it reduces barriers to access to information and helps accomplish the following:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESupports individuals who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, captioning, keyboard navigation, or voice recognition software.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImproves usability for everyone, including users on mobile devices or in low-bandwidth environments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStrengthens Georgia Tech\u2019s ability to serve the entirety of our evolving community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWho This Applies To\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EAll Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and student employees are expected to understand and follow digital accessibility requirements as part of their roles, particularly if they:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECreate or edit websites or web content.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDevelop or share digital documents, forms, or presentations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETeach or support instruction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProduce or manage videos, audio, or multimedia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECreate, post, or manage social media content for Georgia Tech accounts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse digital tools to communicate with students, employees, or any external audiences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETypes of Digital Content Included in the Requirement\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ETitle II explicitly adopts \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/WCAG21\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWCAG\u202f2.1 Level AA\u003C\/a\u003E as the\u202fminimum\u202ftechnical standard for digital accessibility and defines the scope of what public entities must make accessible. This includes, but is not limited to:\u202f \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWebsites and web-based learning platforms\u202f(intended for both internal and external audiences). \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESocial media content and posts (including text, images, videos, stories, and livestreams shared on behalf of Georgia Tech).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDigital documents (e.g., word processing files, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMultimedia content, including audio and video content.\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThird-party tools, platforms, and applications (including mobile) used to provide programs or services.\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn other words, if a digital resource is used to communicate information or deliver a program or service on behalf of Georgia Tech, it is generally covered by Title II.\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow You Can Prepare, Starting Today\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe campus community is expected to make strides toward meeting WCAG 2.1 AA accessible digital content standards. While additional resources, including tools for testing and remediation, will be forthcoming, there are key steps you can take today. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIdentify accessibility leads.\u003C\/strong\u003E Within your department or unit, identify personnel who will help manage this process for your digital assets. This could be a webpage manager and\/or someone who creates and manages your digital content. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col start=\u00222\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAssess your digital resources.\u003C\/strong\u003E Take inventory of all your digital assets, including website content (photos, forms, tables, etc.), e-documents (PDFs, word processing\/presentation\/spreadsheet documents, etc.), audio and video content, and mobile applications. Prioritize public-facing and high-use website content; content required for instruction, employment, or services; and new or actively maintained digital materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col start=\u00223\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeverage training and resources.\u003C\/strong\u003E There\u202fare\u202fseveral training workshops and online\u202flearning\u202fresources designed to help you\u202funderstand Title II of the ADA requirements as well as how to\u202fassess, create, and\u202fmaintain\u202faccessible digital content. Learn more about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/digitalaccess.gatech.edu\/workshops\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Etraining workshops\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/digitalaccess.gatech.edu\/online-resources\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eonline learning resources\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col start=\u00224\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECreate an action plan for existing digital content.\u003C\/strong\u003E Determine which digital content will be deleted, archived, or remediated to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. \u003Cem\u003ERemove content that is no longer relevant\u003C\/em\u003E. Content that remains published will need to be tested against WCAG 2.1 AA standards and remediated if necessary. While there are exceptions to the updated Title II regulations, they are limited and must meet specific criteria. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/digitalaccess.gatech.edu\/title-ii\/exceptions\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELearn more about Title II exceptions\u003C\/a\u003E. Content may also be archived via one of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.service-now.com\/technology?id=kb_article_view\u0026amp;sysparm_article=KB0044310\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eapproved website archive services\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col start=\u00225\u0022\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnsure that new digital content meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards. \u003C\/strong\u003EThis will help mitigate the remediation process moving forward.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat To Expect Next\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESubject matter experts from the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Information Technology\u2019s Digital Learning Team, the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, and EOCCM are working together to develop an enhanced set of tools for testing and remediation, advanced training and workshops, and individualized support to assist you in meeting the updated Title II requirements.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the meantime, the Digital Access website \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/digitalaccess.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Edigitalaccess.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E has been established to serve as the central hub for updated guidance for Title II of the ADA; training resources; and support related to websites, instructional materials, multimedia, and more. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore information will be shared as it becomes available, including direct communications to affected groups with training and resources.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is committed to fostering an accessible environment where all members of our community can learn, engage, and thrive. Creating accessible digital experiences is a critical component of this commitment and reflects our institutional values of excellence and community well-being.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is committed to fostering an accessible environment where all members of our community can learn, engage, and thrive."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-01-24 00:55:40","changed_gmt":"2026-01-24 00:55:40","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678976":{"id":"678976","type":"image","title":"Web-accessibility-image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1768344323","gmt_created":"2026-01-13 22:45:23","changed":"1768344323","gmt_changed":"2026-01-13 22:45:23","alt":"Students at their computer accessing digital content","file":{"fid":"263081","name":"Web-accessibility-image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/Web-accessibility-image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/Web-accessibility-image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":173247,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/13\/Web-accessibility-image.jpg?itok=D9RsAl7s"}}},"media_ids":["678976"],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"660400","name":"Digital Accessibility"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194896","name":"digital accessibility"},{"id":"194897","name":"WCAG 2.1 AA digital accessibility requirements"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rpocklington@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}