As a public institution, Rhode Island College must ensure that all digital content and services comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. This page offers a “peek behind the curtain” at the updated federal requirements: why the Department of Justice (DOJ) created new rules, what changed, and what this means for the way we build and maintain digital content at RIC.
RIC maintains a public Digital Accessibility Policy that outlines expectations for accessible digital content and responsibilities across campus. Our commitment will continue to evolve as the institution aligns with the updated Title II requirements.
The DOJ’s 2024 update was driven by a simple reality: people rely on digital services for nearly everything. Registering for classes, accessing course materials, paying bills, applying for jobs, and getting public information all require digital accessibility. When those digital services don't meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, people with disabilities are effectively shut out.
The DOJ explains several key reasons for the update:
➡️ Why the DOJ Set Specific Requirements for Web and Mobile App Accessibility
The updated Title II rule requires state and local governments, including public colleges like RIC, to ensure that all web content and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. This includes websites, course materials, documents, videos, forms, and any digital tools/content that are public-facing or used to deliver services.
➡️ How Long State & Local Governments Have to Comply
For RIC, this means that we must ensure that new and updated content meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards now, and we must remediate existing content according to federal timelines and institutional priorities.
The updated rule includes a few narrow exceptions, but they are fairly limited:
The DOJ emphasizes that exceptions are not loopholes; they are specific, documented and reviewed cases where full compliance is not feasible. Even when an exception applies, the institution must still provide equally effective alternative access that is timely and meets the individual’s needs. Exceptions do not remove the obligation to provide access.
➡️ Summary of Title II Exceptions
The updated rule formally adopts WCAG 2.1 AA as the technical standard for digital accessibility. Level AA encompasses both level A and level AA standards. We need to meet both. This means:
WCAG is built around four principles: content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). These principles guide all accessibility work at RIC.
"You don't need to memorize WCAG. Most accessibility improvements come from a few consistent practices, as mentioned on Creating Accessible Digital Content."
Meeting Title II requirements is a shared responsibility across campus. Each group plays a role in ensuring accessible digital content:
Please Note: Role definitions, workload expectations, and resourcing will be aligned through normal institutional processes.
"Accessibility is a campus-wide effort. When each group fulfills its role, we create a more inclusive environment for everyone."
