Enhancing Accessibility Adherence in Higher Education

Higher education institutions set the bar high with accessibility, striving to make their digital resources and websites fully accessible. But with needs and legal requirements constantly updating, and so many users creating content, how can colleges and universities ensure their current and future content maintains this standard of accessibility?

In a recent presentation, experts from JAKALA and Acquia explored the complexities and best practices of digital accessibility in the higher education sector. While considering the recent ruling announced by the Department of Justice, we dove into the unique challenges associated with accessibility, usability, and privacy compliance within higher education. We also discussed possible solutions to help remedy these challenges, including key metrics to measure sitewide accessibility, identify highest-risk areas, and discover opportunities to enhance students’ digital experience. 

Check out the full presentation for all the great insights, or read on for a high-level overview.

Digital accessibility needs to be addressed from many different angles. Websites, mobile apps, and digital documents must comply with legal standards like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The Department of Justice’s recent Title II ruling will require all state and local government entities to ensure full digital accessibility compliance in the next 2-3 years; this includes public university systems. This shift is transforming accessibility from a "nice-to-have" feature into a must-have requirement, with similar regulations being introduced in Europe, and California considering its own state-specific law.

Upcoming regulatory changes to know about:

As requirements and user needs evolve, higher ed institutions face challenges, including:

1. Evolving Guidelines, Requirements, and Laws: Accessibility standards, such as WCAG, continuously evolve, making it difficult to maintain compliance over time.
2. Supporting increasingly large portfolios with shrinking resources: Universities often struggle to meet these demands with limited staffing and financial resources.
3. Driving adherence across dozens or hundreds of separate sites and content editors: Many institutions have decentralized content management systems, where individual departments manage their own websites, creating inconsistencies in accessibility standards across the institution.

Cross-campus compliance can be another challenge.

Adhering to accessibility standards and procedures can become much more difficult for those working outside the main, flagship website of the institution. Smaller units of the institution may not have the time, resources or understanding to keep up with the technical, design, and content choices that make for an accessible site. Institutions may have a staffer or team whose job is to support them — or they might be asked to handle it on their own.

The good news is that there are tools available to help institutions navigate these challenges. Acquia's Monsido, a web governance platform, provides automated scanning and monitoring for accessibility issues. These tools allow universities to pinpoint accessibility gaps, prioritize fixes based on site traffic, and track progress over time. Features like automated reporting and task assignment streamline the process, ensuring teams can address the most pressing accessibility concerns first. Interested in a free Monsido site scan? Click here to claim yours. 

However, it's important to note that while tools are helpful, they don’t solve everything. Some issues, such as making PDFs accessible or addressing complex design elements, require manual intervention and expertise to stay compliant.

In addition to technological solutions, fostering collaboration and building a culture of accessibility across an institution is crucial. Universities must align accessibility efforts with broader institutional goals, such as improving user experience and SEO rankings. Here are some steps universities can take to build accessibility into their operations:

1. Regular Training: Offer ongoing training sessions for content creators and web administrators. These sessions should not only cover compliance guidelines but also teach best practices for making content more accessible.
2. Design Systems: Create or update component-based design systems that have accessibility baked into them. These systems allow departments to create accessible web pages quickly while adhering to institutional guidelines.
3. Centralized Resources: Develop a centralized resource hub where staff can access up-to-date information on accessibility requirements, tools, and guidelines. This empowers teams to take responsibility for their own accessibility compliance.

For universities looking to take significant steps toward full accessibility compliance, we recommend starting with a full site scan to understand the current state of accessibility. From there, teams can create a project backlog of the most urgent fixes, prioritize based on site traffic and legal risk, and implement regular reviews to ensure ongoing compliance. Additionally, as accessibility regulations continue to evolve, it's essential to designate champions within departments to keep the initiative moving forward.

Not sure where your higher ed institution currently stands when it comes to accessibility compliance. Check out our free accessibility checklist. 

As accessibility becomes increasingly critical in higher education, institutions must take a proactive approach. By leveraging the right tools, fostering collaboration, and embedding accessibility into the design and development processes, universities can create inclusive digital environments that meet both legal and ethical standards. With ongoing commitment and the right strategy, achieving full compliance is within reach.

We have a wealth of experience working with higher education institutions like Princeton WDS, College of Staten Island, Harvard, and Stanford to help them achieve better digital accessibility and compliance. Contact us today to learn how we can help your institution do the same.