Summary
The Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) is the systemwide entity designated to provide resources and services to the University of Minnesota community in support of the creation, development, and procurement of accessible electronic content and services.
In response to recent Department of Justice clarifications on Title II of the ADA specifying that disabled people have the right to participation in not only built spaces but also in digital spaces, the Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) have partnered to establish the Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA).
The ODA is charged with organizing and coordinating the University’s efforts to support accessible and inclusive digital experiences for all who engage with the University’s services, programs, and activities.
Start Small, Start Now
Digital accessibility is a collective responsibility of all University members. By removing outdated or unused digital content, we can eliminate extra work that would be needed to make this content accessible. By revising your existing digital content, you can help all members of the University community have a more accessible experience. Consider adopting media content that is closed captioned and materials that are natively digital. It’s the right thing to do—and it’s easier than you might think.
Don’t wait. Start now. You don’t have to revise your content all at once—break the work into manageable steps, such as:
- Focus on one of the 3Rs at a time: 3Rs: Remove, Revise, and Right First.
- Take on one of the 7 core accessibility skills at a time—for example, fix heading issues first, then address color contrast issues, etc.
- Ensure all new content is accessible from the start.
Not sure where to start? Contact your unit’s digital accessibility liaison or web and email digital accessibility coordinator for support.
Together, we can make a big difference by starting small, starting now.