"Navigating Digital Accessibility Compliance: Lessons from UT Austin’s Journey
Jeff Freels
In this session, I'll share about UT Austin's digital accessibility journey from 2022 to the present, highlighting our work both before and after the publication of the U.S. Department of Justice's April 2024 regulations on digital accessibility. I'll discuss UT Austin's adoption of Ally for Canvas in 2023, the 2024 launch of our digital accessibility team modeled on Cal State Chico's approach, and our efforts to meet new regulatory requirements across websites, learning materials, and mobile applications. I'll offer insights on navigating institutional cultures and landscapes to drive sustainable change. We'll explore the challenges of improving digital accessibility in a cost-constrained environment, including strategies for using compliance effectively as a tool for positive change. Attendees will gain actionable insights for advancing digital accessibility on their own campuses. I will contextualize UT Austin's experience within the broader implications of the new DOJ regulations and offer my interpretation of what these mean for other higher education institutions. Join us to learn how to enhance digital accessibility and create better learning experiences for all students."
