1: Establish Central Coordination

1.1: Create an Office of Digital Accessibility (ODA)

The strategic plan team proposed that senior University leaders establish a centralized office to ensure the University complies with the University’s policy on digital content accessibility. 

As a result, the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) was established as the systemwide entity designated to provide digital accessibility resources and services to the University of Minnesota community in August 2024.

Task Responsibility Target Date Status Frequency
Appoint Staff Members
  • Responsible Officers of Policy
08-31-2024 Done Once
Define Roles and Responsibilities
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
12-31-2024 In Progress Once
Hire Student Workers
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
08-31-2025 To Do As Needed

1.2: Develop Unit Remediation Processes

The ODA will develop an ongoing iterative plan to ensure all University course, digital, and website content complies with the University’s policy on digital content accessibility.

Task Responsibility Target Date Status Frequency
Finalize Minimum Digital Accessibility Standards
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
01-31-2025 To Do Once
Create DAM/Remediation Report Samples and Templates
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
05-31-2025 To Do Once
Develop Processes for Evaluating DAM/Remediation Reports
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
05-31-2025 To Do As Needed
Identify Error and Digital Content Remediation Priorities
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
05-31-2025 To Do Annually
Determine When to Adopt New WCAG Guidelines
  • Web and Email Digital Accessibility Coordinators (WEDAC)
09-30-2025 To Do As Needed

1.3: Establish a Central Resource Website

The ODA will empower faculty, staff, and students to adopt accessibility values and practices by providing information about tools, training, and other resources on the ODA (formerly Accessible U) site.

Task Responsibility Target Date Status Frequency
Plan and Implement Site Updates
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
08-31-2024 In Progress Monthly
Update the Content Inventory
  • Accessible U Committee
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
03-31-2025 To Do Annually
Assess Website Usability
  • Accessible U Committee
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
09-30-2025 To Do Annually
Update the Content Review Process
  • Accessible U Committee
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
10-31-2025 To Do Once
Refine the Content Strategy
  • Accessible U Committee
  • Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA)
09-30-2026 To Do Annually