Digital Accessibility Timeline

October 21, 2016
Electronic & Information Technology Policy implemented. A similar policy addressing online accessibility had been in place since 2011.
Electronic & Info Tech Policy
November 2016
Electronic Accessibility Academy created by the Office of Information Technology to provide resources and information to faculty and staff about e-accessibility of documents, websites, multimedia and instruction.
E-Accessibility Academy
March 1, 2023
CR504E Accessibility for In-Person and Virtual Offerings - the 10-Day Challenge published in ElevatED Learning Management System for all AU and AUM employees.
Accessibility 10-Day Challenge
March 23, 2023
CR503E Digital Accessibility for Instructional Designers published in ElevatED Learning Management System for all AU and AUM employees.
Accessibility for Instructional Design Training
April 24, 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring state and local government entities ensure their web and mobile applications are accessible to people with disabilities by adopting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard. This enables all individuals to have equal access to our online programs, activities, and services.
New DOJ ADA Title II Regulations
Digital Accessibility Teams Logo
July 3, 2024
Digital Accessibility Working Group created with members from the Office of Audit, Compliance & Privacy; Office of Accessibility, Office of the Provost, Office of Information Technology, Office of Communications and Marketing, the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance, The Office of the General Counsel, and the College of Liberal Arts.
September 13, 2024
Office of Communications and Marketing and Office of Information Technology published a Federal Accessibility Regulation Update announcement in the Wire notifying the campus community of the new requirement.
Federal Reg Update Announcement
November 1, 2024
CR516E Social Media Accessibility training delivered to student organization advisors and published in ElevatED learning management system available to all AU and AUM employees.
Social Media Accessibility Training
February 2025
Biggio Center acquired UDOIT, a powerful accessibility checker integrated into Canvas that helps instructors create accessible online course content.
UDOIT
June 8, 2025
Office of Information Technology published Knowledge Base article on the Federal Accessibility Requirement.
OIT Accessibility Knowledge Base
Icon images of Female figure, male figure, and person in wheelchair.
June 2025

Meetings with Auburn Amplifiers, Salesforce team, an Accessibility Champions Advisors Working Group about working together to make our digital communications and online content accessible. 

Digital Accessibility Workshop with OIT.

July 2025
Biggio Center encouraged faculty to PAWS before you publish. 

The PAWS acronym reminds you to take a moment to check:

  • P: Page Structure
  • A: Alternative Text
  • W: Well-Formatted Files
  • S: Specific Links

Additionally, Institutional Compliance & Privacy created an Accessibility Toolkit available at aub.ie/a11ytoolkit. "A11y," pronounced "ally," contains the number 11 to represent the 11 letters between the "a" and "y" in the word "accessibility."

PAWS Before You Publish Accessibility Toolkit
July & August 2025

Presentations Deans, Associate Deans, Auburn Amplifiers, Department Chairs/Heads and other campus groups.

August 15, 2025
Statement from Leadership about Auburn University's commitment to digital accessibility.
Statement From Leadership
August 21, 2025
Presentation to Administrative & Professional Assembly (A&P) governance group.
A&P Meeting Recording
August 26, 2025
Office of Accessibility presentation to University Senate.
Faculty Senate Meeting Recording
September 16, 2025
Presentation to University Senate governance group.
December 2025
Presentation to Staff Council governance group.
January - April 2026
Prepare accessible lectures, course materials, and Canvas pages for Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 to meet WCAG digital accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. Verify that all AU websites, applications, forms, and other online content meet WCAG digital accessibility standards by April 24, 2026.
April 24, 2026
New DOJ Rule goes into effect. AU online public-facing, student-facing, and employee-facing content to deliver our programs, services, and activities must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Any web content, course content, AU apps, and social media posted on or after April 24, 2026, must be digitally accessible.
ADA Accessibility Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Not only is it federal law, it's the right thing to do. At Auburn, we value a commitment to compliance and excellence. Universal Design benefits all of us.

Auburn University could face legal challenges by individuals and the DOJ, which could result in fines, penalties, injunctions and directives. These are very costly to the institution and cause reputational harm.

Individuals could be in violation of university policies resulting in disciplinary action including and up to termination according to policy.

Start by familiarizing yourself with accessibility standards and use the built-in accessibility checkers in various applications. Several short trainings are available in ElevatED, and quick-reference guides are available to learn Core Skills for accessibility.

Resources Core Skills
Find out more
Digital Accessibility