Charged with ensuring that UW’s digital content is accessible and leading work to comply with Department of Justice regulations by April 2026 and beyond.
Overview
The ADA Digital Accessibility Initiative is charged with ensuring that UW’s digital content is accessible, providing equal information, interactions, and services to people with disabilities. Additionally, the Initiative is leading UW’s work to comply with Department of Justice regulations by April 2026 and setting up the mechanisms to ensure accessible content thereafter.
The Initiative is a partnership between Compliance Services, the Provost’s Office, and UW-IT that formed out of the Office of the ADA Coordinator’s Digital Accessibility Task Force. Task Force work revealed that meeting ADA compliance, and building a sustainable model for ensuring digital accessibility, requires a University-wide, collaborative effort with robust governance and support.
The ADA Rule on Digital Accessibility
In April 2024, the Department of Justice released significant and stringent new regulatory requirements on digital accessibility that will affect all units and functions of the University, including academic, administrative, patient care, research, services, and programs. The University has until April 2026 to ensure that its web and mobile application content, including academic course content, is accessible. The work required is immense and will require collaboration to assess, plan, and implement work priorities needed to reach this goal.
Governance
The ADA Digital Accessibility Initiative is supported by two established UW governance structures: Enterprise Risk Management and Information and Technology Governance. Within Information and Technology Governance, a new ADA Digital Accessibility Governance Board has been established. This governance and reporting structure provides decision-making and project support. The Initiative includes Teams who provide subject matter expertise, recommendations, and supporting implementation. As project phases progress, additional action teams may be established to support discovery and implementation.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
The Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) structure, led by co-sponsors Andreas Bohman, Sarah Miller, and Phil Reid. Under their leadership, accessibility standards are being integrated into enterprise-wide risk management processes, reducing compliance risk while promoting a more inclusive digital experience for students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors. The ERM framework reports annually to the UW Board of Regents, reinforcing its alignment with institutional governance and accountability.
ADA Digital Accessibility Board
The ADA Digital Accessibility Board ensures that the university’s digital ecosystem is inclusive and accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. Part of the Information and Technology Governance structure, it establishes policies, standards, and processes to align with legal requirements, institutional values, and best practices. This domain supports the university’s mission to foster an inclusive environment by ensuring equitable access to digital tools and resources for all members of its community.
Project Management
The ADA Digital Accessibility Initiative is managed by centralized project management from UW-IT. The project manager is tasked with providing overall management and structure, serving as a communication conduit, facilitating timely decision-making, and ensuring accountability. Additionally, each of the Action Teams have an assigned project manager.
Timeline
The Transformation Timeline shows goals and milestone beginning in April 2024 and extending beyond the April 24, 2026 ADA Rule deadline. Work is broken down in 5 stages: Discover, Initiate, Build, Refine, and Transform.