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Accessible Technology Initiative Division of Information Resources & Technology

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ADA Title II Update

Overview

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For Sacramento State, this covers all official websites, web applications, digital documents posted on those sites, mobile apps, course-related digital materials, and social media posts.

Minimum technical standard: Conformance to WCAG 2.1 AA for web and mobile content, with limited exceptions defined by the rule.

Who’s covered?

As a public university, Sacramento State is a Title II entity and must comply with the rule. The scope includes web content and mobile apps, course materials, and official social media posts.

Key dates

  • April 24, 2024: Rule published in the Federal Register.
  • June 24, 2024: Rule effective date.
  • April 24, 2026: Compliance date for public entities serving populations of 50,000+ (applies to Sacramento State).

What does WCAG 2.1 AA cover?

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a stable, technology-agnostic standard organized under four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Level AA success criteria include requirements for text alternatives, color contrast, keyboard access, clear focus states, captions for multimedia, headings and landmarks, link purpose, error prevention, and more.

  • Websites and web apps (including forms, portals, and LMS-integrated tools)
  • Digital documents hosted on our sites (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, spreadsheets)
  • Mobile apps (including documents and media within the app)
  • Digital course materials such as videos, online textbooks, slides, and handouts
  • Official social media posts

  • Archived web content that is clearly marked and not updated after archiving
  • Preexisting conventional electronic documents (e.g., older PDFs) retained only for reference/record-keeping and not needed to access current services or programs
  • Content posted by non-affiliated third parties without a contract
  • Individualized, password-protected documents (e.g., bills, transcripts)
  • Preexisting social media posts from before the compliance date

Note: Upon request, accessible versions of excepted materials must be provided within a reasonable time.

What to do now

  1. Use HTML (aka WCM web pages) over PDF for new content whenever possible; reserve PDFs for true downloads/forms.
  2. Create accessibly from the start: use proper headings, meaningful link text, alt text, sufficient color contrast, and keyboard-friendly components.
  3. Caption/transcribe media and ensure players provide keyboard and screen reader support.
  4. Check your pages with our recommended tools (automated checks + manual review) and fix issues promptly.
  5. Choose accessible tech: verify vendors and third‑party tools meet WCAG 2.1 AA before adoption.
  6. Plan remediation for existing high‑traffic or student‑facing content; archive outdated materials with a clear label when appropriate.

Additional Resources