Digital Accessibility Timeline
October 21, 2016
Electronic & Information Technology Policy implemented. A similar policy addressing online accessibility had been in place since 2011.
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.
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.
March 23, 2023
CR503E Digital Accessibility for Instructional Designers published in ElevatED Learning Management System for all AU and AUM employees.
April 24, 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiriring state and local government entities ensure their web and moblie 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.
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.
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.
February 2025
Biggio Center acquired UDOIT, a powerful accessibility checker integrated into Canvas that helps instructors create accessible online course content.
June 8, 2025
Office of Information Technology published Knowledge Base article on the Federal Accessibility Requirement.
Female figure, male figure, and wheelchair figure overlayed with Samford Hall at Auburn University in background.
June 2025

Meetings with Auburn Amplifiers, Salesforce team, an Accessibility Champions Advisors Working Group about working together to make our digital communicatons 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."

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.
August 26, 2025
Office of Accessibility presentation to University Senate.
August 21, 2025
Presentation to Administrative & Professional Assembly (A&P) governance group.
September 16, 2025
Presentation to University Senate governance group.
December 2025
Presentation to Staff Council governance group.
January 2026
Ensure all courses for Spring 2026 meet WCAG digital accessibility standards including Canvas and course materials.
April 24, 2026
New DOJ Rule goes into effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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.

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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.

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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