Make your digital content accessible to meet the new ADA federal requirement
The university recently launched the University Digital Accessibility Initiative (UDAI) under the executive sponsorship of Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen and Vice Chancellors Rob Cramer and Nancy Lynch, to align with the university’s vision of a welcoming environment for all community members, and to meet the 2026 federal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital materials such as documents, emails, and web content easy for individuals to access, understand, and navigate.The new ADA rule, which has a compliance date of April 24, 2026, establishes a technical standard to follow, similar to building codes requiring accessible bathrooms and parking, to ensure disabled individuals can more seamlessly access our digital environment without additional reasonable accommodations.
If you are an instructor, manage a website or create other digital content, please take action to make progress on digital accessibility.
- Instructors are encouraged to begin using the UDOIT Accessibility Checker on their spring 2026 canvas courses now.
- Other information, tools and resources are available:
The UDAI team will share timely updates, clear action steps, expectations, practical guidance, and information on the resources and tools being developed to support this work. Please continue to watch eCALS for more information.
Related: The UW–Madison Teaching Academy will be holding its Winter Retreat on Friday, February 6 with the topic: Building a Culture of Wellbeing through Accessibility & Accommodations. It will be an opportunity for instructors, TAs and those who support instruction to gather and share how they bring accessibility into their teaching and daily work.