Colleges and universities must now meet stricter ADA compliance requirements for websites and digital content or risk legal consequences, fines, and loss of federal funding. With the Department of Justice’s latest update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), institutions must ensure all web content, mobile apps, and digital resources meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. For many schools, the deadline is approaching fast.
In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton has a conversation with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, to discuss what these new ADA regulations mean for higher education institutions and what they must do to comply.
The Department of Justice’s update to Title II clarifies long-standing accessibility expectations, removing ambiguity about digital compliance. Now, all institutions receiving federal funds—including financial aid, research grants, or disaster relief—must ensure their online content adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. AA
The key changes include:
Woo explains that many universities operate hundreds, if not thousands, of websites across different departments and programs, making compliance a daunting task.
Woo highlights that designing for accessibility benefits everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. Features like captions for videos were initially created for the hearing impaired but are now widely used by all viewers.
According to WebAIM’s annual survey of the top one million websites, these are the most common accessibility issues:
Given the scale of most universities’ digital footprints, Woo recommends:
Presidents and institutional leaders must appoint a compliance officer or team responsible for ensuring accessibility across all digital platforms. Without clear ownership, accessibility efforts can fall through the cracks.
Woo notes that institutions can use AI-powered tools to scan websites for accessibility violations and assist in remediation. Some platforms can even auto-correct PDFs and web pages to bring them closer to WCAG 2.1 standards.
Compliance isn’t just a policy issue—it requires financial investment. Schools must allocate resources for accessibility audits, technology upgrades, and training to ensure long-term compliance.
Determine whether your institution must comply—and by when
Institutions receiving any federal funding must meet the new standards, with large universities facing an April 2026 deadline.
Appoint a leader or team to oversee accessibility compliance
Without clear accountability, compliance efforts will stall. Universities must assign responsibility to IT, compliance, or academic leadership teams.
Invest in accessibility tools and training
ADA compliance isn’t just a one-time fix. Schools should budget for ongoing accessibility improvements, staff training, and technological upgrades.
Higher education institutions can no longer afford to overlook digital accessibility. With the DOJ’s new enforcement push, now is the time to act.
Listen to the full episode for more insights from Eugene Woo and practical strategies for making your institution’s digital content fully accessible.
Disclaimer: This podcast and its accompanying show notes are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We recommend that institutions consult a qualified compliance officer or legal counsel regarding ADA compliance or any other legal matters.
Read the podcast transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/ada-compliance-in-higher-education/
#HigherEducation #ADACompliance #HigherEdPodcast
Eugene Woo is the CEO and founder of Venngage, an infographic design platform that enables users to create compelling and accessible visual content. With over two decades of experience in software engineering and product development, Eugene has a strong background in engineering and a passion for visual storytelling. Prior to Venngage, he founded Vizualize.Me, a platform for creating visual résumés, which was acquired by Parchment in 2013. Eugene holds a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology
Connect with Eugene Woo on LinkedIn →
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.
