The Department of Justice's final rule on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is effective as of June 24, 2024. The final rule identifies specific requirements to ensure that web content and mobile applications are accessible for people with disabilities. University of South Carolina is required to follow this new final rule for our digital content and services.
Meeting the WCAG Technical Standard
The rule sets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for digital accessibility. WCAG is a globally recognized set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, and it outlines specific ways to make digital content accessible for people with various disabilities.
For instance:
- Write meaningful alt text for images.
- Provide accurate and quality captioning for videos.
- Ensure all operations can be performed with keyboard alone.
Our IT 5.00 – Digital Accessibility Policy [pdf] already sets WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for digital accessibility at USC. What changes with this final rule are the legal implications if our digital content and services do not meet the accessibility guidelines.
Our Digital Landscape
Digital products, services, and tools within our digital landscape at USC include, but are not limited to, our:
- Websites
- Mobile applications
- Procured software
- Social media
- Videos
- Documents
- Course content
Even course content that requires authentication (such as content in Blackboard) should be created following the accessibility guidelines so that students with disabilities have an opportunity to engage with the content.
Exceptions to the Rule
The final rule does provide exceptions for certain types of digital content. For example, archived web content and preexisting social media posts are exempt from meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA under specific conditions. The ADA Fact Sheet provides a more detailed summary of the exceptions.
Again, it’s worth noting that although course content in Blackboard is password-protected, it is not exempt from this rule — course content should be accessible for all students.
Compliance Timeline
Our compliance date for reaching the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard at University of South Carolina is April 24, 2026. This gives the university two years from the publishing of the final rule to review its current digital landscape, identify areas of non-compliance, and make necessary adjustments.
Start Making your Digital Content Accessible
The new final rule represents a significant step toward digital inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access and participate in the digital services, programs, and activities that we offer here at University of South Carolina.
As we work toward the compliance date of April 24, 2026, it's essential for the USC community to understand the final rule so we can work together to create a more accessible digital environment for all. We all have a responsibility to make our digital content accessible.
Contact us if you would like help understanding how this final rule applies to your specific area and how you can get started with making your digital content accessible.
References: