ADA Title II Compliance Checklist

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Last Updated: Dec 18, 2025, 12:44 PM

Preparing for the April 26, 2026 Deadline 

 ADA Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) requires state universities to make all digital content and services accessible to individuals with disabilities—just as physical spaces and in-person programs must be. 
 By April 26, 2026, all SIU digital materials must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. 

Regardless of mandates, our goal should be to ensure equity in courses, which is a pillar of SIU Imagine 2030.  

This page will be updated as new guidance and resources become available. Please check back periodically for the most current information related to Title II accessibility requirements.

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ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST FOR VARIOUS FORMATS

ADA Title 2 Accessibility Checklist

We’ve designed this page to be a tactical, step-by-step resource so that faculty can take concrete action toward meeting ADA Title II requirements by April 26, 2026.  

Rather than focusing on policy language, this guide highlights the specific tasks, tools, and resources instructors need to use to make their courses, materials, and media fully accessible.

Digital Documents Compliance (Word, PowerPoint, PDF, etc.)

Goal: Every file shared with students, whether through D2L Brightspace or email, should be readable by assistive technologies. 

 Minimum Requirements 

  • Use built-in heading styles, lists, and table structures. 
  • Provide alt text for images and charts. 
  • Use descriptive link text (avoid “click here”). 
  • Run “Check Accessibility” in Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat before posting. 
  • Verify color contrast meets standards (use a Color Contrast Analyzer). 
  • Export accessible versions of all other tools, like Adobe Express. 

Video & Audio

All videos must include captions. Always review auto-generated captions and correct for accuracy. 

  • Use Microsoft Stream (AKA Clipchamp) or the D2L Brightspace Media Library to upload and caption your recordings. 
  • If you use YouTube or other external platforms, double-check that captions are present and accurate before embedding. 
  • Provide transcripts for audio-only content (podcasts, interviews, etc.). 
  • Ensure media players support keyboard access and playback controls. 

Recommended Practice 

  • When recording lectures or presentations, speak clearly, minimize background noise, and reference on-screen visuals verbally. 
  • Maintain high contrast and readable text in any slide or screen recording. 

Inside D2L Brightspace

Use built-in support tools: 

  • Click Check Accessibility: Scans HTML pages and content for common errors. 
  • Listen to your course using ReadSpeaker: Offers text-to-speech for on-screen text. 
  • Accessible Templates: Use Creator+ or SIU-provided accessible content blocks when building content. 

Special Considerations by Discipline

Certain subjects require specialized approaches: 

  • Math: Use MathML or LaTeX, not images of equations. 
  • Sciences: Label diagrams and molecular structures descriptively. 
  • Arts: Descriptively describe art or artwork. When possible, link to open-source or government platforms that have already done the work.  
  • Foreign Languages: Provide alt text for scripts or transliterations. 
    Faculty in technical disciplines should follow subject-specific accessibility standards. 

Email, Announcements, and Social Media Materials

Emails and other digital communication channels require the same design as course content. 

  • Use plain-language formatting and readable fonts. 
  • Write clear, descriptive subject lines. 
  • Include accessible hyperlinks and avoid image-only announcements. 
  • Ensure attachments meet document accessibility standards. 
  • Add alt text to images. 
  • Provide captioning in videos. 

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