How To Prepare for New Digital Accessibility Standards

 

1. Review What You Already Have

  • Make a list of your websites, apps, and digital tools.
  • Decide what is still being used and what can be deleted or archived (please refer to UVA Records Management Policy)
  • Check if any old content (like PDFs) can be updated to be easier for everyone to use, like converting them to web pages (HTML).

2. Check for Accessibility

  • Test your websites, apps, and other digital systems to see if they follow WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
  • Use tools like DubBot or WAVE to scan your websites.
  • Focus on fixing the most important problems first, such as:
    • Titles/headings
    • Color Contrast
    • Links
    • Image Description
    • Captions for Media

3. Create Clear Accessibility Procedures

  • Write down your internal process for making accessible content from the start.
  • Include steps for keeping your content accessible over time.
  • Make sure this process becomes part of your team's regular work.

4. Train Your Team

  • Make sure your team knows how to create accessible digital content.
  • Take trainings on digital accessibility.
  • If your team wants more training, look into certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
    • IAAP offers free and discounted trainings for UVA employees
    • The University has a limited number of complimentary exam certification vouchers. 
  • Contact the Assistant Director of Learning Technology Initiatives in the Center for Teaching Excellence at [email protected] for more assistance.

5. Choose Accessible Products

  • When buying new digital tools, make sure they are accessible and follow Procurement processes for whether or not it requires a Digital Accessibility Review. You should ask the vendor for a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), but don’t take it on face value; it will need manual testing to ensure compliance. If you need assistance with this, you can always request a digital accessibility review before purchasing.
  • Ask vendors to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April 26, 2027 (unless it’s not possible for legal or technical reasons).
  • Add digital accessibility language to all contracts with outside vendors.

6. Need More Help?

  • For more specific information, contact the Digital Accessibility Coordinator at [email protected]