The University of Michigan is committed to making digital accessibility a core aspect of operations.
The goal of the U-M Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative is to make digital information and experiences accessible to all without barriers, by embedding accessibility into the fabric of everyday work. This initiative is a comprehensive effort that includes:
- raising awareness
- providing necessary tools
- developing robust support systems for U-M communities
The Strategic Initiative supports U-M’s alignment with standards, policy, and regulations, including WCAG 2.1 AA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our objectives and timelines are designed to meet updated regulations for digital accessibility at large public universities, including a federal compliance deadline of April 2026, as described in a 2024 update to regulations for Title II of the ADA.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility means ensuring that all digital content, including web pages, online courses, and software, is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
Digital accessibility can be understood in multiple ways:
- Equitable Access: Providing access to everyone, including individuals with disabilities
- Inclusive Design: Designing for a broad range of users with diverse needs and devices
- Usability: Ensuring information is usable for individuals relying on assistive technologies
- Compliance with Standards: Meeting the WCAG 2.1 AA standards
- Inviting Feedback: Making it easy and welcoming for people who encounter barriers to let us know
- Accommodation: Offering responsive, necessary accommodations when barriers are encountered
Why is This Change Important
The University of Michigan is dedicated to making digital accessibility not just a goal but an integral part of our institutional identity and culture. Help us make the University of Michigan a barrier-free environment for all by making accessibility a routine part of your work and interactions. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable university community.
Several factors motivate our commitment to digital accessibility and we hope will motivate you:
- Equity and Inclusion: Designing accessible digital information to counteract historical exclusions and promote equity, enhancing the recruitment and retention of individuals with disabilities
- Lead by Example: Positioning U-M as a leader in digital accessibility for all students, faculty, staff, and the public and becoming a model for other institutions
- Broaden Reach and Impact: Ensuring that teaching, research, and all other U-M programs, services, and content are accessible to all intended audiences, including students, donors, faculty, staff in the U-M community, and the public
- Policy Compliance: Adherence to U-M's policies, including the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility SPG 601.20
- Legal Requirements: Compliance with laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508, and digital accessibility standard WCAG 2.1 AA by April 2026
- Good Design: Practicing accessible design to improve usability for all users, including those using mobile devices, older technology, or experiencing temporary or situational limitations
- Barrier-Free Information: Ensuring digital content does not create unnecessary barriers and delivers on the promise of inclusive access
- Efficiency: Preventing the need for costly corrections by addressing accessibility from the start