Changing Higher Ed The Layperson's Prescriptive to ADA Compliance in Higher Education
Colleges and universities must now meet stricter ADA compliance requirements for websites and digital content or risk legal consequences, fines, and loss of federal funding. With the Department of Justice's latest update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), institutions must ensure all web content, mobile apps, and digital resources meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. For many schools, the deadline is approaching fast.
In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton has a conversation with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, to discuss what these new ADA regulations mean for higher education institutions and what they must do to comply.
Understanding the New ADA Requirements for Higher EdThe Department of Justice's update to Title II clarifies long-standing accessibility expectations, removing ambiguity about digital compliance. Now, all institutions receiving federal funds—including financial aid, research grants, or disaster relief—must ensure their online content adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. AA
The key changes include:
- Explicit standards for websites and mobile apps – Digital accessibility is no longer optional.
- Clearer rules on compliance deadlines – Larger institutions (50,000+ students) must comply by April 2026, while smaller institutions have until April 2027.
- Greater enforcement risks – ADA lawsuits have historically driven accessibility improvements, and these new regulations are meant to make institutions proactive rather than reactive.
Woo explains that many universities operate hundreds, if not thousands, of websites across different departments and programs, making compliance a daunting task.
Why ADA Compliance Matters for Colleges and Universities Accessibility Isn't Just a Legal Obligation—It's a Universal Design Best PracticeWoo highlights that designing for accessibility benefits everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. Features like captions for videos were initially created for the hearing impaired but are now widely used by all viewers.
The Biggest Accessibility Challenges for Higher Ed WebsitesAccording to WebAIM's annual survey of the top one million websites, these are the most common accessibility issues:
- Missing alt text for images – Over 50% of homepage images lack descriptions, making content inaccessible to screen readers.
- Poor form accessibility – Online forms frequently lack proper labels, creating barriers for those using assistive technology.
- Non-descriptive links and buttons – Generic link text (e.g., "Click here") makes navigation difficult for screen reader users.
- Inaccessible PDFs – Many course materials, syllabi, and administrative documents are in PDF format but lack proper tagging and readability.
- Color contrast issues – Up to 20% of men have some form of color blindness, yet many websites fail to meet the contrast requirements.
Given the scale of most universities' digital footprints, Woo recommends:
- Conducting an ADA compliance audit to identify accessibility gaps.
- Prioritizing high-traffic pages and critical student services for remediation.
- Implementing universal design principles in new content to prevent future accessibility issues.
Presidents and institutional leaders must appoint a compliance officer or team responsible for ensuring accessibility across all digital platforms. Without clear ownership, accessibility efforts can fall through the cracks.
Leverage AI and Automated Accessibility Tools for ADA ComplianceWoo notes that institutions can use AI-powered tools to scan websites for accessibility violations and assist in remediation. Some platforms can even auto-correct PDFs and web pages to bring them closer to WCAG 2.1 standards.
Budgeting for Digital Accessibility ComplianceCompliance isn't just a policy issue—it requires financial investment. Schools must allocate resources for accessibility audits, technology upgrades, and training to ensure long-term compliance.
Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Leaders-
Determine whether your institution must comply—and by when Institutions receiving any federal funding must meet the new standards, with large universities facing an April 2026 deadline.
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Appoint a leader or team to oversee accessibility compliance Without clear accountability, compliance efforts will stall. Universities must assign responsibility to IT, compliance, or academic leadership teams.
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Invest in accessibility tools and training ADA compliance isn't just a one-time fix. Schools should budget for ongoing accessibility improvements, staff training, and technological upgrades.
Higher education institutions can no longer afford to overlook digital accessibility. With the DOJ's new enforcement push, now is the time to act.
Listen to the full episode for more insights from Eugene Woo and practical strategies for making your institution's digital content fully accessible.
Disclaimer: This podcast and its accompanying show notes are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We recommend that institutions consult a qualified compliance officer or legal counsel regarding ADA compliance or any other legal matters.
Read the podcast transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/ada-compliance-in-higher-education/
#HigherEducation #ADACompliance #HigherEdPodcast
About Our Podcast GuestEugene Woo is the CEO and founder of Venngage, an infographic design platform that enables users to create compelling and accessible visual content. With over two decades of experience in software engineering and product development, Eugene has a strong background in engineering and a passion for visual storytelling. Prior to Venngage, he founded Vizualize.Me, a platform for creating visual résumés, which was acquired by Parchment in 2013. Eugene holds a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology
Connect with Eugene Woo on LinkedIn →
About the Podcast HostDr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Dr. McNaughton's approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.