Office of Academic Innovation

Digital accessibility changes for PSU faculty

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to set clear requirements for accessible web content and mobile apps for public entities, including public universities. The updated rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard and sets an April 24, 2026 compliance deadline for large entities.

What’s new under Title II

The DOJ’s updated Title II rule makes digital accessibility expectations explicit and ties them to a specific technical standard (WCAG 2.1 AA). Importantly, the requirement is proactive: accessibility should be built into everyday teaching and publishing workflows, not added only after an accommodation request.

Many of the changes involved are straightforward shifts in how materials are created:

  • Headings are set as real headings (H1, H2), not just bold text
  • Link text clearly describes where it goes
  • Images include meaningful alt text
  • Color is not the only way meaning is conveyed
  • Videos include captions; audio includes transcripts (or an equivalent accessible format)
  • Files are readable with assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboard navigation)

Academic accommodations still exist and are not changing. The goal of the updated rule is to reduce barriers by improving default access, not to replace accommodations.

More about Title II

What this means for your teaching

For faculty, this applies to:

  • Course content you publish or share: Canvas pages, files, links you choose, and embedded content
  • Documents you distribute: PDFs, Word/Google documents, slide decks, spreadsheets
  • Media you assign or post: Video and audio, including captions and transcripts where applicable
  • Instructional technologies you select: Apps or platforms students must use for coursework or participation

Starting April 24, 2026, PSU must ensure that all digital resources—both public-facing and internal—are accessible. The OAI faculty support team at PSU is here to provide resources, training, and design consultations to help you build these practices into your teaching without adding unnecessary workload.

How to Learn more & get support

A welcome page for the Instructional Digital Accessibility Training with a colorful green background and figures using digital tools.

Take the Instructional Accessibility Training
A landing page for the Accessibility in teaching and learning introduction for faculty resource

Accessible course resources
Digital accessibility Credly badge for faculty at Portland State University

Earn an accessible teaching credential
faculty support

Contact faculty support

Getting started: key steps for faculty

Accessibility work is most manageable when it matches how you already teach. Start with the pathway that fits your materials.

canvas landing page against a red background

I mostly teach in Canvas

Start here: Make your syllabus accessible and use a course accessibility checklist to find accessibility errors in your Canvas course and fix them.

Then: Check course material documents, any videos or audio, and external tools for accessibility.

Google slides presentation, with the Portland State University branding

I share lots of documents or slides

Start here: Make your documents accessible to enable screen-reader compatibility. Use our accessibility checklist to review all your course handouts and documents, prioritizing your spring courses.

Then: If using PDFs, you will need to edit the source documents, find accessible versions through the library, or contact faculty support.

Kaltura MediaSpace and Youtube browsers against a purple background

I use video or audio

Start with: Make sure all videos you share have captions that are enabled for students. In some cases, captions might be turned on automatically, but if they are not, you may need to turn on your captions in MediaSpace.

Then: Contact faculty support for help adding audio description files to previously recorded videos.

faculty talking with support staff at the Office of Academic Innovation

Get personalized support for your questions

The PSU faculty support desk is here to answer your accessibility questions as you remediate your course materials and learn how to build accessible courses and course materials moving forward. We can look at your course materials with you–reach out to schedule a consult!

Book an accessibility consult

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does this apply to in-person classes too?

Yes—because the requirement is about the accessibility of the digital materials and tools students rely on (even for face-to-face courses).

What’s the deadline?

For large public entities, the DOJ compliance date is April 24, 2026. 

What standard do we need to meet?

 WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

What content should I prioritize first?

Anything students use now or every term: syllabus, core assignments, rubrics, key weekly pages/files, required media.

Do I have to fix everything I’ve ever made or posted?

Prioritize current and commonly used materials first; then work backward for high-enrollment or frequently reused courses.

I have a discipline-specific or department-specific accessibility question, who can help me? 

OAI faculty support can come meet with your department to discuss your specific questions.

What if I/my department use a third-party tool (publisher homework, simulations, etc.)?

You’re not expected to become a procurement expert—but you should flag tools students must use and route questions through PSU’s accessibility and procurement support.

How do I report an accessibility issue a student raises?

Direct them to PSU's ADA Accessibility Inquiries webpage.

I work directly with a publisher, how do I make sure the course content is accessible? 

Reach out to our faculty support staff for sample language for communicating with publishers and vendors.