The U.S. Department of Justice issued a new rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act requiring all digital tools and electronic resources used in university programs, services, or activities—whether free or paid, developed internally or procured from vendors—to meet specific accessibility standards by April 24, 2026.

Because procurement is decentralized at UW–Madison, the University Digital Accessibility Initiative, sponsored by Interim Provost Zumbrunnen and Vice Chancellors Cramer and Lynch, requests your help notifying vendors who supply digital tools and electronic resources currently used in your school, college, division, or program about the new rule’s requirements to ensure UW–Madison is following the law.

Please complete the following by January 20, 2026:

1. Send this email to your staff who are the primary point of contact for a supplier, vendor or contractor including consortiums, resellers, or purchases made via State or UW-System contracts;
2. Ensure staff complete the vendor notification process by:
   a. Reviewing the Vendor Notification Process webpage
   b. Sending the vendor notification letter using this template
   c. Completing the self-attestation form indicating they have notified their vendors

Notification letters should be sent to vendors by March 11, 2026.

To support this process, please forward this email to your primary vendor points of contact. Full instructions and FAQs are on the Vendor Notification Process webpage.

If you have questions or need assistance, please email the ADA Coordinators in the Office of Compliance.

Thank you for your leadership and support in ensuring compliance with this important federal mandate.

Lori Voss – Director of Procurement
Ruben Mota – ADA Coordinator
Mark Whittaker – Deputy ADA Coordinator