Digital Accessibility at the University of Northern Iowa

Updated Title II regulations require public universities to make covered digital content and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities. 

To meet the federal compliance deadline of April 26, 2027, UNI is actively working to align our web resources and services with the WCAG 2.1 Level AA technical standard.

Priority is given to content actively used for instruction, campus communication, and access to university programs and services. Because digital creation is constant, accessibility is a shared, ongoing responsibility across our institution. UNI’s Digital Accessibility initiative offers guidance, resources, and consultation to support departments in embedding accessibility into all digital content.

Digital Accessibility at the University of Northern Iowa
Two students looking at a laptop

Areas of Focus

  • Websites and Web Applications
  • Multimedia
  • Digital Documents
  • Software and Applications
  • Course and Instructional Content
  • Digital Signage
  • Social Media

Your Role In Digital Accessibility

Most digital content at UNI is created or managed by departments, faculty, and staff. Those who create, manage, or select content and systems are responsible for addressing accessibility in their areas. 

Central partners provide standards, guidance, tools, and consultation.

You do not need to be an accessibility expert. Focus on a few core practices when creating or publishing digital content.

When creating digital content at UNI:

  • Use accessible templates for documents and web pages
  • Add captions or transcripts to video and audio content
  • Use headings, descriptive links, and image descriptions
  • Use built-in accessibility checkers before publishing
  • Consider accessibility when selecting digital tools or software

More detailed guidance is available in the Digital Accessibility Basics and Digital Accessibility FAQs.

‌Staff

UNI staff members sitting around a table

Digital content used for university operations, communication, or public information should follow accessibility best practices.

This includes websites, digital documents, email communications, and online forms. Units may organize this work differently, so check with your department to understand local responsibilities.

‌Faculty

UNI faculty member teaching students

Create new course materials using UNI’s accessibility guidance and review materials used in current instruction, including documents, videos, readings, and digital tools.

UNI provides tools and guidance to help instructors address common accessibility issues. Seek help when a barrier cannot readily be resolved.

‌Students

Students talking at a table in Schindler

Accessibility expectations apply when students create digital content on behalf of the university, such as:

  • Content created through a student job
  • Materials produced for a department
  • Official content for student organizations

Personal coursework and individual assignments generally do not fall under these expectations.