Accessibility Essentials
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility means designing and maintaining websites, mobile apps, documents, videos, forms, and other digital tools so that people with disabilities can use them effectively. It helps ensure that individuals who use screen readers, captions, keyboard navigation, magnification, speech input, or other assistive technologies can access information and complete tasks with comparable ease and independence. CUNY identifies digital accessibility as part of its commitment to making electronic and web-based content accessible to everyone and uses WCAG 2.2 Level AA as its accessibility standard.
Why Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility supports equal access to information, services, and opportunities. For Lehman College, this means helping students, faculty, and staff engage with online learning, campus services, administrative processes, and college communications without unnecessary barriers. Accessibility also improves usability for many people beyond those with documented disabilities, including users on mobile devices, people with temporary injuries, and individuals navigating content in different environments. CUNY states that accessibility must keep pace with changing technology, guidelines, and regulations, reflecting that this work is both mission-driven and ongoing.
New Accessibility Rule for Public Institutions
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act that establishes specific requirements for the accessibility of web content and mobile apps provided by state and local governments, including public colleges and universities. The rule adopts technical standards based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA and clarifies that digital services offered through the web and mobile applications must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Department of Justice has also explained that compliance deadlines begin in April 2026 or April 2027, depending on the size of the public entity.
What is WCAG?
WCAG, or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, is a globally recognized standard for making digital content more accessible to people with disabilities. It provides guidance for creating websites, documents, and other online resources that are easier to use, navigate, and understand, including for individuals who rely on assistive technologies. WCAG is widely used as the foundation for digital accessibility standards and best practices.
New York State Accessibility Policies
- Applies to all New York State agencies, contractors, vendors, and service providers.
- Mandatory compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.2 AA standard.
- Executive Order 170F
- Requires all state-contracted websites to meet the most current WCAG standard.
- NYS Policy NYS-P08-005
- Establishes minimum accessibility requirements for all web content and applications developed, procured, maintained or used by state entities.
- State Senate Bill S3114A
- Requires state agency websites to meet WCAG standards.
Federal Accessibility Policy
- Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations | ADA.gov
- Prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, state and local governments, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
- DOJ Title II Final Rule: A more recent rule under Title II of the ADA ensures that digital content and mobile applications provided by public entities are accessible.
New ADA Title II Regulations
- Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Loc
- Published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 24, 2024.
- Mandates specific digital accessibility for state and local government entities and public higher education institutions.
- Require all actively used digital content, including websites, mobile applications, and course materials, conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.
- The deadline for compliance is April 24, 2026.
