Digital Accessibility Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of Justice has extended the Title II digital accessibility compliance timeline from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027. The regulations have not changed, and neither has UMKC's commitment to ensuring digital accessibility — we are simply being provided more time to follow recommended processes and implement robust accessibility functionality in place of stopgap measures. Work to improve digital accessibility should continue as planned so we can fully build digital accessibility into our content before the new deadline. We know many people across campus have worked hard and we appreciate everything that has been done so far. We will continue to monitor for any updates in the ruling and communicate changes as necessary. What This Extension Means for Us - UM System
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the internationally recognized standards for designing digital content that is usable by everyone—including people with disabilities. These guidelines are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
WCAG provides a framework to help developers, designers, content creators, and organizations ensure their websites and digital tools are accessible, inclusive, and legally compliant.
Why WCAG Matters
Accessibility is essential for equal access. People with disabilities may use screen readers, voice commands, alternative keyboards, or other assistive technologies to interact with websites and digital tools. WCAG helps make sure that everyone, regardless of ability, can perceive, understand, navigate, and contribute to the web.
Digital accessibility benefits not only individuals with permanent disabilities, but also those with temporary impairments (e.g., a broken arm), situational limitations (e.g., bright sunlight), or aging-related conditions.
The Four Principles of WCAG
WCAG is built around four core principles. Content must be:
Perceivable
Information and user interface elements must be presented in ways users can perceive.
Example: Use text alternatives for images and ensure sufficient color contrast.
Operable
Users must be able to operate interface components and navigate the content.
Example: Make all functionality keyboard accessible.
Understandable
The interface and information must be clear and predictable.
Example: Use simple language and consistent navigation.
Robust
Content must be compatible with current and future assistive technologies.
Example: Use proper HTML structure and avoid code errors.
These four principles serve as the foundation of all WCAG success criteria, which are organized into three levels of conformance: A (minimum), AA (mid-range and most common standard for legal compliance), and AAA (highest accessibility level).