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

Website Remediation

Websites are essential to the student journey—from researching programs and applying, to accessing coursework and staying engaged as alumni. When websites aren't accessible, we create barriers that can prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in university life. Prioritizing web accessibility ensures all community members can navigate their academic journey and access the resources they need to succeed.

Documents on Websites

Documents (PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) present unique accessibility challenges and require special attention to meet ADA compliance standards. Content and site editors play a crucial role in this remediation effort and will be expected to review all documents currently available on their respective websites. Use these resources when reviewing and remediating the documents on your website.

how to handle documents

Making Documents Accessible

PDF Best Practices

Digital Forms

Converting PDF forms to digital forms is a critical step in improving accessibility and user experience. PDF forms often present significant barriers for users with disabilities, including:

  • Difficulty navigating form fields with screen readers
  • Limited keyboard navigation support
  • Incompatibility with assistive technologies
  • Poor mobile device experience

Form Accessibility

Embedded Content

Embedded content such as forms, videos, images and applications requires careful consideration to ensure accessibility and compatibility. While some types of embedded content can be implemented accessibly, others present significant risks.

Managing Embedded Content

Archiving Content

Content and documents can become outdated and no longer need to be public facing. However, sometimes content may still be useful to keep for record-keeping or institutional knowledge and continuity purposes. Read our guidelines for determining if content should be archived and how to archive it once a determination is made.

Content archiving guidelines