Digital Accessibility Spotlight: What is digital accessibility?

July 17, 2026

Digital accessibility now and moving forward

In April 2024, the Department of Justice created a new rule for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring digital tools and electronic resources used at public universities to be accessible by meeting certain technical standards. The new rule is effective in April 2027.

This digital accessibility rule is important because technology is essential to participating in all aspects of American society and allows for quick, easy, and independent access to information. The rule ensures disabled individuals do not experience discrimination by being able to use the same technology as individuals without disabilities.

The UW–Madison’s digital accessibility policy has been updated to align with the new federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reflects our mission to create a welcoming, empowered and inclusive community. When digital content is accessible, everyone can participate fully and access information easily and independently. Digital accessibility helps UW–Madison:
- Remove barriers for people with disabilities
- Improve clarity and usability for all users
- Reduce the need for individual accommodations
- Support inclusion and equal access across campus
What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital documents, emails, and web content easy to access, understand, and navigate. While the ADA defines accessibility as meeting the technical Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standards, accessible content means individuals can quickly, easily, independently, privately, and equally use the tool.

In practice, accessibility is about designing digital content so people of all abilities can use it without barriers or needing to request a reasonable accommodation. For example:
- Videos include captions so people can follow along without sound
- Images include alternative text so screen readers can describe them
- Documents contain the appropriate heading structure so they can be read and navigated easily
- Websites can be used by people who navigate with a keyboard, screen reader or other assistive technology
Learn and get support
- Join the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice – Connect with others across campus, attend meetups and learn from shared experiences.
- Attend office hours – Get your questions answered in short, one‑on‑one sessions with accessibility experts. Sessions are available Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Explore resources at your own pace
- Start with the basics: Review the digital accessibility fundamentals.
- Learn the why behind accessibility: Watch the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative’s video introduction to web accessibility and W3C standards.
- Dive deeper: Explore the make it accessible guide.
- Put accessibility into practice: Download the digital accessibility fundamentals checklist.
- Build your skills: Take the self-paced LinkedIn Learning: Digital Accessibility for the Modern Workplace course.
What this means for you
- For faculty and instructors: Your course materials, videos, and Canvas content need to be accessible so all students can fully participate.
- For communicators and content editors: Emails, websites, and documents you create should be clear, structured, and usable for all audiences.
- Each of us: Any digital content you create or share must be accessible so everyone can access information without barriers.
Where to get help
- Center for User Experience:
  The Center for User Experience can provide additional information on how to create more accessible, usable, and inclusive digital content for all students, faculty, and staff. Request consultation through the Center for User Experience website.
- Office of Compliance:
  If you have questions related to the scope of the new federal rule for the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact the ADA Coordinators in the Office of Compliance.