What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility ensures that all digital content, including web pages, online courses, software, documents, social media posts, and more, is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
Why is Digital Accessibility Important?
The University of Michigan is dedicated to making digital accessibility a core part of our culture and identity to ensure an inclusive environment for all. It is also a legal requirement that we comply with federal and state accessibility laws.
What Are the Objectives of the Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative?
The initiative aims to implement mature processes, support, services, and tools necessary for U-M to meet digital accessibility obligations and set an example among higher education institutions. In order to embed digital accessibility into the everyday work of the university, we will focus on the following areas:
- Procurement: Refine the procurement process to ensure accessible technology.
- Strategy and Guidance: Communicate U-M's strategy and provide guidance on policy and regulations.
- Communications: Deliver consistent messaging on digital accessibility tools and support services.
- Course Content Accessibility: Provide tools and training to ensure accessible course content.
- Compliance Leadership: Support the U-M community in managing websites and applications towards compliance.
- Emerging Solutions: Explore new solutions like digital document accessibility and enhanced video captioning.
- Training: Provide ongoing training to align with the university's accessibility goals.
What is the Timeline for the Digital Accessibility Initiative?
The initiative will be rolled out in phases. Refer to the Timeline for more detailed information on the timeline and see the Objectives and Goals for work in progress.
Who is involved in/leading this initiative?
This initiative is led with the support of ITS and ECRT, the units responsible for the U-M digital accessibility policy (SPG 601.20), and a cross-divisional project team and with input from partners across the university.
Will the Digital Accessibility project team be responsible for managing unit compliance with accessibility requirements for course content, digital content, websites, and applications?
While the Strategic Initiative team is the backbone providing the necessary frameworks, tools, and support, the responsibility to manage unit compliance resides with each unit.
Where are the resources I need to do my part?
This space will be continually updated with relevant resources for the roles who have a part to play in this work, including for example Unit IT Staff, Instructors and Instructional Support Staff, and more.