We are reaching out because you are teaching this summer, and we want to ensure you are aware of new federal digital accessibility requirements for course content under the Americans with Disabilities Act. While the new ADA rule goes into effect on April 24, we recognize that compliance will be an ongoing, iterative process.

Where to start

Below are several practical, high‑impact areas to prioritize as you incorporate digital accessibility into your summer courses:

1. Review foundational guidance. Explore the Faculty, Instructor and Instructional Technologist Resources section of the Digital Accessibility @ UW–Madison hub, which provides clear starting points and step‑by‑step guidance for accessible course design.
2. Tackle easy improvements. The new tool TidyUP can help you quickly remove unused files, identify outdated materials, and streamline the scope of your Canvas content that needs to be remediated. Small improvements contribute to overall progress.
3. Create accessible new content. Learn the digital accessibility fundamentalsand incorporate them into new course content. Creating accessible content from the start is more efficient than remediating it later.

Beginning this work during summer course preparation enables you to learn digital accessibility basics and incorporate accessibility into your normal instructional workflow.

Support is available

UW–Madison remains committed to offering training, practical guidance, and timely updates as expectations continue to roll out. If you have questions or would like help getting started, guidance is available through the Center for User Experience. As you assess what steps are needed to ensure your course materials are accessible, please let us know what type of assistance would be most helpful.

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment. Every improvement, no matter how small, moves us closer to our goal of ensuring all members of our community can learn, work and thrive.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John Zumbrunnen

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Robert Cramer

Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs Nancy Lynch