For the past decade, SUNY Oswego has worked to build a digitally accessible culture where all members of the community can engage with online information and resources. Oswego's Digital Accessibility Workgroup, Steering Committee and campus accessibility fellows have advanced this effort, earning recognition from SUNY for leadership in accessibility practices.
As federal Title II regulations take effect in April 2026, the next phase of this work begins. Title II requires that online programs, services, and materials — including content delivered through a browser or mobile app — meet accessibility standards moving forward. This applies to new or actively shared digital content, whether publicly available or behind a login.
Examples include:
- Websites and web-based applications
- LMS course content
- Documents (PDFs, Google Docs, PowerPoints, etc.)
- Audio/video content (captions/transcripts)
- Supported mobile apps
- Third-party tools integrated with university platforms
Campus Technology Services (CTS) will continue to review institutionally supported systems and enterprise applications for accessibility compliance. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to CTS before adopting new tools.
What you can do now
To support compliance by April 24, 2026, the university asks faculty, staff, and students to begin with the following:
- Ensure that newly created or newly shared digital content meets accessibility guidelines.
- Use accessible templates, formats, and tools where available.
- Consult CTS when selecting or updating web-based or mobile applications used for coursework or university operations.
Professional development and support
To assist the campus community:
- A Digital Accessibility Summit for faculty will be held on Jan. 21, with open office hours on Jan. 22. (Registration information has already been shared.)
- Staff-focused opportunities will be announced in Oswego Today.
- Weekly Oswego Today articles during the spring semester will introduce accessibility practices for content types such as emails, web pages, Google Docs, Word documents, and PDFs.
- The Digital Accessibility team is available to visit departments, offices or student groups for training or discussion.
Additional learning opportunities include:
- Accessibility tutorials on creating and checking accessible documents
- The asynchronous “Access: A Quest Toward Inclusion” course
- Winter breakout workshops through the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
- Digital Accessibility website resources
Staying informed
Additional updates on campus accessibility efforts and Title II implementation will continue to be shared through Oswego Today and occasional campus emails.
Creating an inclusive digital environment is a shared responsibility. Thank you for your attention to this important initiative and for helping ensure that SUNY Oswego remains a welcoming, accessible community for all.
–- Submitted by members of the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee and the Workgroup on Accessibility Practices who can be reached at accessibilitypractices@oswego.edu