Overview
In response to federal requirements for digital accessibility, the University of Georgia is continuing a coordinated, campus-wide effort to improve access to digital content and services. Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) supports this work through the Digital Accessibility Services program, providing technology, training, and resources. Meanwhile, the Equal Opportunity Office (EOO) has developed a Digital Accessibility Policy to support implementation.
The rule, published in April 2024, requires state and local government entities to ensure that web content and mobile applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has extended the compliance deadline to April 26, 2027.
However, the University of Georgia is also subject to requirements from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has established a compliance deadline of May 11, 2026. This deadline has not been extended and continues to guide the University’s accessibility efforts.
Under this federal framework, all digital content and services must conform to these standards. These requirements apply to all digital content, including online course content, regardless of where it is hosted or delivered. Digital accessibility, under this rule, means designing web content and mobile applications to provide equal access, regardless of ability or circumstance. At its core, it is about removing barriers so that individuals do not face unnecessary obstacles when engaging with our resources.
Accessibility is the design of products, services, environments, and systems to be usable by all people, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.