Accessibility and Accessible Design Guide

The following briefing was created by SCC's Disability Access Services department in 2024-2025. This high level overview can provide educators with a quick glance at how to approach accessibility and accessible design immediately and thoroughly in response to new legislation.

Overview of ADA Title II Updates

• On 06/24/24, changes were made to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II federal regulations requiring public entities to ensure that all digital content meets "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA" standards. The compliance date for an institution of our size is 04/24/2026.
• ADA Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments

What are the accessibility standards?

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA

What content needs to meet accessibility standards?

• Nearly all digital material hosted by SCC will need to be compliant, including web content that is password protected. E.g. all forms, documents, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, audio and video recordings, web pages, handouts, Canvas pages, course content, and departmental materials.

What content is exempt?

• Archived web content that is not currently used.
• Pre-existing conventional electronic documents, unless such documents are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in SCC's services, programs, or activities.
• Content posted by a third party, unless the third-party posts due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with SCC. If the third party is not controlled by, or acting for, SCC, content posted by the party SCC’s website or mobile app would not need to meet WCAG 2.1, Level AA.
• Individualized documents that are password-protected about a specific individual, their property, or their account.
• Pre-existing social media posts made by SCC before 04/24/26.
• These exceptions are, in reality, are extremely narrow, and should not be used as an excuse to avoid working toward compliance.

What can I do starting now?

Use the 3Rs framework (developed by University of Minnesota, a leader in proactive digital accessibility) to help you break up and prioritize upcoming accessibility work and guide your next steps toward meeting the 04/24/26 deadline.

• Remove content you do not need to share right now and delete content you no longer need. 
• Revise any digital content you need to share. 
• Right first: create new content with digital accessibility in mind. 

What resources are available to help me and my team meet these standards?

Visit the Resource Links page to see numerous options for exploring these standards. Also consider schedule a consultation with Eric Moede, Spokane Colleges’ ADA Title II WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance Project Manager.