ADA Title II Compliance

accessibility imageTitle II is a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in services, programs, and activities provided by state and local governments. Title II applies to public education.  ADA protects the rights of individuals with disabilities—including people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and motor disabilities—by requiring equal access to public programs, services, and activities.

MCCC has until April 26, 2027, to achieve WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.

What does Title II require?
State and local governments must provide people with disabilities equal access to their programs, services, and activities
  • State and local governments must make reasonable modifications to accommodate people with disabilities
  • State and local governments must communicate effectively with people with disabilities
  • State and local governments must provide access to programs and services in existing facilities

ADA Title II is part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law passed in 1990.

Key Requirements Under ADA Title II:

ADA Title II requires that digital content be designed so that everyone can access and use it, including people who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, captions, or keyboard navigation.

This includes:

  • MCCC Websites & Mobile Applications
    Must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
    The user interface (UI) should have sufficient color contrast (4.5:1), keyboard accessibility, clear focus indicators, with compatibility for screen readers & screen magnifiers.
  • Learning Management Systems (Blackboard LMS)
    Interactive content (quizzes, discussions, assignments) must be navigable by keyboard.
    All images require alt text, media must have captions/transcripts, and headings should be structured logically for screen reader navigation.
    Timed activities must provide adjustable time limits or alternatives.
  • Digital Documents (e.g., PDFs, Word docs, PowerPoints)
    PDFs must be tagged and structured for accessibility.
    Word/PowerPoint files must use built-in heading styles, list structures, descriptive hyperlink text, and sufficient color contrast.
    Tables should include headers identified in markup for assistive technologies.
  • Video, Audio & Other Multimedia Content
    Captions are required for all pre-recorded video with audio.
    Transcripts are required for audio-only media.
    Audio description should be provided when important visual information is not conveyed in the audio.
  • Digital Communication

FAQ’s (accordion drop-down)

  • 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? 
    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.