Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public entities — including colleges and government agencies — must make sure their websites and mobile apps meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.
This means any software or digital platform we use or purchase must be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
These requirements apply not just to our public-facing sites and apps, but also to internal systems and third-party software we use. All must meet compliance standards by 2026–27.
What this means for us:
- Procurement: Accessibility must be part of the purchasing process. Any new software should be evaluated for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance before it’s approved.
- Standards: WCAG 2.1 AA is the legal minimum, but WCAG 2.2 is recommended when possible.
- Vendor accountability: Ask vendors to demonstrate accessibility features using assistive technologies like screen readers.
- Expert support: When in doubt, we can bring in an accessibility consultant to help assess software.
- Documentation: Review vendor Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) to verify claims of accessibility.
What we are asking of you:
To help us stay on track, please review and update your department’s current software list using our Software Tracker Form. This form helps us document what tools are in use and ensure each one meets accessibility requirements. Please submit a new form for every software your department uses.
By building accessibility into our evaluation and procurement processes — and keeping our software inventory up to date — we not only comply with the law but also make sure our digital tools are usable by everyone.
For more information, please visit RCC’s Accessibility Resources pages or email title2@roguecc.edu.