What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility means that digital information and experiences can be used, understood, and participated in by all. It is achieved by using standards and best practices that center the needs of people with disabilities. It benefits everyone by making digital content easier to use and understand, more compatible with different devices, and more flexible for your needs.
UM-Dearborn鈥檚 Commitment to Digital Accessibility
UM-Dearborn鈥檚 commitment to an inclusive environment is reflected in a enacted in 2022 requiring that 鈥渁ll electronic and information technology and U-M must be as effective, available, and usable for people with disabilities as it is for people without disabilities.鈥 All content must meet accessibility standards.
In addition, recent require that all public universities bring their digital content and technologies into compliance with accessibility standards by April 2026. This means all websites, documents (such as PDFs), communications (including emails), and digital tools must be usable by individuals with disabilities.
Digital Accessibility Responsibility
Every member of the university community, including all faculty and staff, has a responsibility to ensure all digital information is accessible. The deadline for compliance is April 24, 2026. Types of digital information includes:
- All digital documents, such as PDF鈥檚
- Forms and surveys
- Websites
- Presentations/slides
- Spreadsheets
- Emails (including Gmail sends or email tools, such as MyEmma)
- Events and meetings
- Multimedia (such as video)
- Social media