The University has approved a new Administrative Policy Statement, APS 9.0 Digital Accessibility. This policy fills an important gap by aligning UW’s long‑standing values regarding accessibility with the federal requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Rule and comparable Washington State law. APS 9.0 establishes clear, University‑wide expectations for the accessibility of digital content and applications used in UW programs and activities.
Why This Matters
Digital accessibility is both a values commitment and a legal requirement. APS 9.0 requires all digital content and applications used in UW programs and activities to meet the UW Minimum Digital Accessibility Technical Standard. When digital accessibility is not addressed, the University faces increased legal, financial, and reputational risk, and members of our community may encounter unnecessary barriers to participation.
Impact on Our Work and the UW Community
APS 9.0 applies to digital content and applications that are acquired, developed, purchased, or used by all UW units across the tri‑campus system and UW Medicine. Under the updated ADA Title II rule, accessibility must be considered early when selecting or creating documents, tools, and workflows. Taking this approach reduces rework, strengthens operations, and supports smoother implementation over time.
UW supports this work through guidance on the Digital Accessibility, Accessible Technologies, and Teaching@UW websites, along with tools, training, and expert support to help units meet these expectations. Resources include clear standards for evaluating and selecting digital tools, practical training for creating accessible documents and content, and materials that support review and remediation. Unit‑level experts, Digital Accessibility Liaisons, and central support teams are also available to assist when questions arise or when exceptions are needed.
Additional information about the UW’s efforts is available on the ADA Digital Accessibility Initiative and the Civil Rights Compliance Office websites. If you have questions or would like support, please contact digitalaccess@uw.edu.