Final Rule Web Accessibility

Overview of the final rule

The final rule on web accessibility is a new regulation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rule was published in April 2024 by the Department of Justice (DOJ). It outlines how public entities, states and local governments need to make their digital content, programs, and services accessible. 

 

What's required to comply

The rule requires public universities like Western Washington University to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level, at a minimum. This standard applies to all web and mobile content available to the public or used in university services, programs, and activities.

We suggest meeting higher levels of WCAG where possible. This can mean supporting WCAG 2.2 criteria or meeting the AAA level of 2.1 criteria.

Who's required to comply

The final rule applies to Western staff, faculty, or students working in an official university capacity that create or manage:

  • websites and/or web content,
  • mobile apps,
  • digital documents, or
  • digital course content.

Content covered under this rule

The following types of content must be accessible (for exceptions, see the "Rule exceptions" section):

Websites and web content

Any content coded and used for user agents like browsers or assistive technology. Web content can include text, media (image/video), interactive elements (forms/chat/widgets), animation, or digital document content.

Mobile apps and sites

Software or sites designed to work on mobile devices and interfaces, including smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and smartwatches.

Digital academic content

Any of the previously mentioned types of content specifically used in course content or academic platforms (example: documents uploaded to D2L, or page content created in D2L).

Rule exceptions

The final rule has some limited exceptions where the content doesn't need to meet WCAG 2.1 at the AA level. You can find examples and more info on these exceptions in the final rule fact sheet.

Timeline to comply

Public entities with local populations of 50,000 or more persons, including MSU Texas University, must comply with the Title II rule by April 26, 2027.

Where to learn more

Have questions?

If you have questions about the final rule, please reach out to Web services at webmasterhelp@msutexas.edu.