A New Era of Digital Accessibility at the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa has embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of the Accessible Iowa: The Countdown to Digital Accessibility initiative. This comprehensive effort aims to align the university’s digital content, including websites, course materials, and various systems, with the latest federal accessibility standards by April 24, 2026, as stipulated by the updated rule from the U.S. Department of Justice under Title II of the ADA.
Under the new regulations, compliance extends to all university digital assets, from websites and mobile apps to academic content shared among students, faculty, and staff. This initiative not only addresses legal requirements but also furthers the university’s commitment to inclusivity as outlined in its 2022—2027 Strategic Plan.
“Meeting these digital accessibility standards is not just a legal obligation, but it’s the right thing to do,” affirmed Tiffini Stevenson Earl, senior director and ADA coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance. “We are committed to giving all Hawkeyes access to the content and tools they need to succeed.”
Guided by the Accessibility Task Force, the Accessible Iowa initiative is crafting training programs, policies, tools, and resources to foster digital accessibility campus-wide. Continuous updates and information will be provided on accessibility.uiowa.edu.
Key Goals of the Initiative
- Digital content and files: Equip all UI employees with the skills to integrate accessibility into everyday content creation.
- Classroom content: Ensure full accessibility of all UI ICON courses through Anthology Ally.
- Current status: 65% complete
- Web content: Maintain a Siteimprove accessibility score of 94 across all UI websites.
- System accessibility: Identify and address critical digital systems to meet compliance.
The university is also focused on establishing sustainable tools and processes to ensure ongoing accessibility beyond compliance deadlines.
How to Get Involved
As resources are being developed, faculty and staff can take immediate steps to prepare:
- Get started: Discover methods to create accessible content and learn more about preparatory actions on the Accessibility at Iowa website.
- Clean up: Employ the three R’s of digital accessibility to optimize your files and content:
- Remove: Eliminate outdated or unnecessary digital content from platforms like Teams and SharePoint.
- Revise: Update and enhance content intended for public sharing.
- Right first: Design new content with accessibility principles from the outset.
- Use tools: Utilize accessibility features available in software such as Microsoft Office, Ally in ICON, and Siteimprove to identify and resolve accessibility issues.
“This initiative is a major undertaking,” stated Maggie Jesse, executive director of the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology and co-chair of the task force’s teaching committee. “With our combined efforts, we can create a more welcoming digital environment. The training and tools we’re developing will help everyone at UI play a part.”
Opportunities for faculty and staff to engage in training sessions, participate in accessibility evaluations, and explore new tools will be available in the coming months.
For further details or to provide feedback, contact [email protected].
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