Accessibility FAQs and Digital Accessibility Glossary

 FAQ’s

  • What does the new ADA rule cover?
    The rule makes sure that websites and mobile apps provided by state and local governments (including public universities) are accessible to people with disabilities.
  • What are the technical standards for compliance?
    The rule requires websites and mobile apps to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA standards.
  • Who needs to comply with the new rule?
     The rule applies to all websites and mobile apps offered by public entities, whether they provide them directly or through other arrangements.
  • Why is accessibility important if no student in my class has disclosed a disability?
  • I am teaching a course next semester. What do I need to do to comply with Title II Regulations?
     Faculty should begin reviewing course materials, documents, videos, and LMS content to ensure they meet accessibility standards. Using accessible templates and following accessibility best practices can significantly reduce future remediation efforts.
  • Do I need to make every document and video accessible right away?
    No. However, institutions should develop a plan to prioritize and update course materials to meet compliance requirements by the established deadline.
  • Where can I find help updating my outdated syllabus or lecture slides to ensure accessibility? 
    MercerOnline    : Blackboard, online pedagogy, digital accessibility, and educational technologies
    Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR): Student accessibility and accommodation services
    MCCC Center for Teaching and Learning: Pedagogy and research
    MCCC Marketing and Communications: Webpages and social media
    Faculty can work with the MercerOnline staff for guidance on accessibility improvements and remediation strategies.

Digital Accessibility Glossary

  • Accessible Documents: Files (PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) formatted so they can be read and navigated by assistive technologies.
  • Alt Text: A textual description of images used to convey meaning to users who cannot see them. Screen readers rely on this to describe visual elements.
  •  Devices or software used to improve functional capabilities for individuals with disabilities, such as screen readers.Assistive Technology:
  • Closed Captioning: Text displayed on screen to represent the audio content of a video, including spoken words and non-speech sounds.
  • Color Contrast: The difference in brightness and color between text and its background, used to ensure readability for users with visual impairments.
  • Course Content Accessibility: The process of ensuring course materials (e.g., syllabi, videos, slides) are usable by all students, including those with disabilities.
  • Digital Accessibility: The design and development of digital content so that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with it.
  • Instructional Designers: Professionals who help faculty build accessible, inclusive, and effective online or hybrid learning experiences.
  • Screen Reader: A type of assistive technology that reads aloud text presented on a screen (or outputs it via Braille). It assists users with visual impairments in navigating websites or documents.
  • Tagged PDF: A PDF file that includes hidden labels or "tags" to define the structure and reading order of the content, making it accessible to screen readers and assistive technologies.
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act: A federal law that requires state and local governments, including public universities, to provide equal access to programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities.
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A framework for designing instruction that accommodates the needs of all learners by providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.
  • WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): A set of international standards for web accessibility developed by the W3C.