Introduction
Workgroup
In February 2023, the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice steering committee formed a workgroup with the following members to establish a campus-wide strategy for improving digital web accessibility at the University.
- Luke Kudryashov, Disability Resource Center, Twin Cities (Co-chair)
- Dimitri Tadege, University Relations, Twin Cities (Co-chair)
- Jane Flis, Carlson School of Management, Twin Cities
- Christina Goodland, Office of Information Technology, Twin Cities
- Kieran Kohlhase, Office of Information Technology, Twin Cities
- Khaled Musa, Office of Information Technology, Twin Cities
- Jane Reed, Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth
Charge
Part of the charge was to "[understand] the University’s and peer institutions’ digital accessibility landscape" and to provide "recommendations to the Policy Workgroup to make sure the Digital Content and Information Technology Accessibility strategy is aligned with the University’s Policy on web accessibility."
Tasks
To accomplish both and develop the strategic plan, we:
- Searched the web for and reviewed information on similar institutions' accessibility efforts
- Conducted interviews with digital accessibility professionals, UMN digital content contributors, UMN web developers, and representatives of other institutions that have similar distributed web governance and staffing structures or who use automated accessibility checking tools like Pope Tech for web accessibility and UDOIT for online courses
- Provided feedback on the policy workgroups' proposed revision of the University’s policy on web accessibility and included related recommendations in the strategic plan
- Identified what we wanted to recommend in a consensus workshop
- Drafted the strategic plan in a series of workgroup sessions using Google Docs, and then refined it on this website
Community Input
We are grateful for the information shared by professionals from the University and outside institutions, which helped us determine what to recommend.
Scope
Initial
The intent of this initial strategic plan is to ensure that our most public and widely used digital content—the text, media, and files posted on our official websites and ongoing live courses in the University's learning management system—meet a minimum set of of accessibility standards within a short timeframe and demonstrate significant progress toward complying with the policy and WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
- Websites and web applications using the umn.edu domain name
- Websites and web applications produced by employees to conduct official University business and outreach
- Web content and applications connected to a service provided by a third party vendor
- Communication modalities or platforms used by the University such as email and social media
- Course sites on the University's learning management system that are actively being used for online teaching and instruction
- Web applications internally developed or purchased for use in University business processes
New Federal Guidelines
Proposed new federal accessibility guidelines were released while we were developing the strategic plan, and finalized while the draft strategic plan was being reviewed.
May 2023
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (DOE OCR) issued a joint letter about their ongoing efforts to address accessibility issues related to online services, programs, and activities in higher education.
August 2023
The DOJ released a proposed rule on the Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities and opened the comment period for all higher education and public institutions until October 3, 2023.
April 8, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) titled “Accessibility of web content and mobile applications (apps) for people with disabilities.”
The Advance Copy (PFD) of the rule highlights all the comments that were taken into consideration, and explanations for those that didn’t.
The Fact Sheet has a good summary of the rule and what it covers.
Summer 2024
Changes have been made to the strategic plan accordingly, as summarized below.
- The University must provide and make accessible all web content and mobile apps that it offers directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements. This covers websites (public or behind authentication), and all content provided via a vended tool like Canvas and Kaltura.
- All public institutions must make their websites and mobile apps comply with WCAG 2.1 A/AA. The University is expected to comply by April 24, 2026.
Future
After significant progress has been made, we will update the plan further to meet higher accessibility maturity levels, until we ultimately have a sustainable accessibility program.
Goals
This plan presents a roadmap of initial tasks organized to meet four broad goals:
- Create a central University structure that will oversee and lend support to digital accessibility efforts across all departments and campuses within the University system.
- Develop an accountability structure to clarify roles and responsibilities.
- Create a system to track issues and remediation progress.
- Develop a communications plan and regularly share information about responsibilities, resources, and progress.
Rationale
We believe that the accessibility policy and a plan to enact it are essential in enabling individuals to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. We made it a priority to align the plan with University values and priorities, comply with legal obligations, and honor past efforts.
Values and Priorities
The University mission statement expresses a commitment to “making the knowledge and resources created and preserved at the University accessible to the citizens of the state, the nation, and the world.”
Websites and digital materials that are not designed with accessibility in mind exclude a significant portion of citizens of both our University and larger communities.
We hope the strategic plan helps extend the benefits of accessible design to all people who use our digital content and bolsters larger diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the MPACT 2025 strategic plan.
Central to our efforts in all areas is a commitment to people. According to the social model of disability, every person is responsible for contributing to the accessibility of the environment that we all share. We want to help us all collectively meet that responsibility.
Legal Obligations
The University must comply with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Past Accessibility Efforts
Over the past several decades, the dedicated efforts of numerous passionate individuals have propelled the University of Minnesota toward a more accessible digital landscape. See About the ODA for details. This strategic plan formalizes, builds upon, and expands these efforts.
Results
Displaying 1 - 45 of 45 tasks
Task | Responsibility | Metric | Milestone Date | Milestone Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Refine the Content Strategy | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Content strategy is updated, revised based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 09-30-2026 | To Do |
Refine the Content Strategy | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Content strategy is updated, revised based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 09-30-2026 | To Do |
Develop an Accessibility Pledge and Campaign | ODA Communications Staff | The campaign activities are added to the editorial calendar | 01-31-2026 | To Do |
Update the Content Review Process | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | The process is drafted, revised based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 10-31-2025 | To Do |
Update the Content Review Process | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | The process is drafted, revised based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 10-31-2025 | To Do |
Assess Website Usability | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | All usability issues found are added to and prioritized in the backlog so work can be planned | 09-30-2025 | To Do |
Determine When to Adopt New WCAG Guidelines | IT Accessibility Liaisons | ODA agrees and communication tasks are added to the editorial calendar | 09-30-2025 | To Do |
Assess Website Usability | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | All usability issues found are added to and prioritized in the backlog so work can be planned | 09-30-2025 | To Do |
Implement the Editorial Calendar | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | Over 90 percent of calendar items are delivered on time | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Complete Recommended Liaison Training | IT Accessibility Liaisons | Liaisons self-report completion of two badging courses via a survey | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Develop an Annual Editorial Calendar | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | The calendar is drafted and updated based on liaison feedback | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Implement the Editorial Calendar | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | Over 90 percent of calendar items are delivered on time | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Develop an Annual Editorial Calendar | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | The calendar is drafted and updated based on liaison feedback | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Create a Liaison Training Report Form | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | The form is sent to all liaisons and submissions are reviewed at least annually | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Promote Badging Courses | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Tasks are added to the editorial calendar | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Hire Student Workers | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | At least four student workers start appointments | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Publish Progress Reports | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Regular progress updates and annual reports are added to the editorial calendar | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory Liaison Appointments and Training | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Tracking system includes way to store liaison contact, manager, and training information | 08-31-2025 | To Do |
Submit DAM/Remediation Plan Reports | Faculty and Instructional Staff | Reports are submitted through the tracking system within 6 months and annually thereafter | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory Course and Web Sites | IT Accessibility Liaisons, Marketing and Communications Leads, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Inventory of course sites and websites is created | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Identify Audiences, Goals, and Channels | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | Audiences, goals, and channels are listed and updated based on liaison feedback | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory Course and Web Sites | IT Accessibility Liaisons, Marketing and Communications Leads, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Inventory of course sites and websites is created | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Identify Audiences, Goals, and Channels | IT Accessibility Liaisons, ODA Communications Staff | Audiences, goals, and channels are listed and updated based on liaison feedback | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Develop Processes for Evaluating DAM/Remediation Reports | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Processes are drafted and updated based on liaison feedback | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory Course and Web Sites | IT Accessibility Liaisons, Marketing and Communications Leads, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Inventory of course sites and websites is created | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Review Scan and DAM/Remediation Reports | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Scan and DAM/remediation reports for each unit, course site, and website are reviewed and owners who are not making progress are contacted | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Identify Error and Digital Content Remediation Priorities | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | A list of priority digital content and errors is drafted, updated based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory DAM/Remediation Reports | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Tracking system is set up and tested | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Create DAM/Remediation Report Samples and Templates | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Template and sample reports are drafted, updated based on liaison feedback, and published on Accessible U | 05-31-2025 | To Do |
Update the Content Inventory | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | A current inventory of coordinated content is completed | 03-31-2025 | To Do |
Update the Content Inventory | Accessible U Committee, Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | A current inventory of coordinated content is completed | 03-31-2025 | To Do |
Notify ODA of Liaison Changes | IT Accessibility Liaisons | Responsible parties are prompted annually to submit updates | 02-01-2025 | To Do |
Add “Report a Course or Web Site Disability-Related Issue” Form Link to All Course Sites and Websites | Course Site and Website Platform Owners | Instructions are sent to course and web site owners identified by liaisons | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Document Liaison Responsibilities | Human Resources Staff | Job responsibilities are drafted and updated based on feedback from liaisons, their supervisors, and human resources staff | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Assess Training Needs and Make Recommendations | IT Accessibility Liaisons | Training report published | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Designate a Liaison for Each Unit | Marketing and Communications Leads | A liaison is identified for each unit and their manager informed | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Inventory “Report a Course or Web Site Disability-Related Issue” Form Submissions | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Tracking system is set up and tested | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Establish Regular Liaison Meetings | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Liaisons are invited to repeated meetings for the quarter and operating standards are drafted | 01-31-2025 | |
Finalize Minimum Digital Accessibility Standards | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | The standards are drafted, updated based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Inform Liaisons' Supervisors | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | A process is drafted and updated based on liaison feedback | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Develop Processes for “Report a Course or Web Site Disability-Related Issue” Submissions | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Processes are drafted and updated based on liaison feedback | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Update the “Report a Course or Web Site Disability-Related Issue” Form | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | Reporting form is updated | 01-31-2025 | To Do |
Define Roles and Responsibilities | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | RACI matrix is drafted, updated based on stakeholder feedback, and published on Accessible U | 12-31-2024 | In Progress |
Plan and Implement Site Updates | Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) | SAFe program increment planning begins | 08-31-2024 | In Progress |
Appoint Staff Members | Responsible Officers of Policy | Full- and part-time staff members start appointments | 08-31-2024 | Done |