All university communications, whether in the context of classrooms or public and internal messaging, must be equally accessible by law. More importantly, it is our duty as public educators and thought leaders to provide equal access to information.
As a higher education institution, we must be vigilant regarding the ever-changing landscape of emerging technologies used in classrooms and public communication. All content creators within the university community—faculty, staff, and students—have a duty to become familiar with the legal and ethical requirements outlined here.
The university is responsible for:
- Providing resources, information, and education regarding best practices and methods for making communications accessible.
- Ensuring that existing communications meet or exceed accessibility standards.
2024 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Updated Title II Regulations
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II regulations emphasize accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities in public institutions, including higher education. Key requirements include:
- Digital Accessibility: Universities must ensure websites, online learning platforms, and digital content comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), making them usable for individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
- Physical Accessibility: Campuses must maintain accessible facilities, including classrooms, dormitories, libraries, and recreational spaces. This includes ramps, elevators, signage, and accessible seating.
- Effective Communication: Institutions must provide auxiliary aids and services (e.g., sign language interpreters, captioning for videos, braille materials) to ensure effective communication with students, staff, and visitors with disabilities.
- Policy Updates: Universities are required to update policies and procedures to address accessibility barriers proactively and ensure compliance with ADA standards.
- Training and Awareness: Staff and faculty must be trained on ADA compliance to support students with disabilities effectively.
- Complaint Resolution: Institutions must establish clear processes for handling accessibility complaints and resolving issues promptly.
These regulations aim to establish equal access to education and campus resources for all individuals.
2015 UT System Efforts
UT President Joe DiPietro formed an accessibility study group in 2014 to research best practices and offer recommendations regarding how the UT system’s campuses and administration should respond to the state accessibility task force recommendations.
In January 2015, the accessibility study group published its report and recommendations for the campuses.
2014 State Legislature Efforts
In 2014, the state legislature directed the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to convene an accessibility task force charged with developing minimum criteria for public institutions of higher education that ensure accessibility to electronic instructional materials for persons with disabilities.