UNO Digital Accessibility

Graphic illustration of computer with keyboard and circles conveying accessibility issues

UNO is committed to ensuring that every member of our community—students, faculty, and staff—has equal access to digital content. With newly revised federal regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we must take immediate steps to meet accessibility requirements and remove digital barriers for all users.

All UNO digital content must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA by April 24, 2026.

What This Means for UNO

To comply with this federal mandate, UNO is implementing a campus-wide digital accessibility plan involving faculty, academic leadership, and staff across departments. This plan includes:

Ensuring that all videos on UNO websites and learning platforms are captioned
Adding alt text to all images on websites and within learning management systems
Ensuring that all PDFs and other documents are screen-reader accessible
Reviewing and updating third-party software, tools, and digital content to meet accessibility standards

Scope of Compliance

Compliance applies to all official UNO digital content, including:

Websites & Social Media – UNO’s public and internal websites, social media posts, and digital marketing materials.
Course Content – Canvas, Bridge, NU Advance, digital textbooks, instructional materials, and lecture recordings.
Documents & Media – PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, and videos used in teaching, research, and administration.
Software & Third-Party Tools – Any software or applications used by UNO departments, faculty, or students.

The 3R Rule for Digital Accessibility

UNO is following the 3R Rule to guide this effort:

Remove – Audit and delete outdated, inaccessible content (e.g., old PDFs, uncaptioned videos).
Revise – Convert existing materials to meet WCAG 2.1 standards (e.g., add captions, fix PDFs, provide alt text).
Right First – Design all new content with accessibility in mind from the start (e.g., use accessible templates).

How We’re Supporting You

To help coordinate this initiative, UNO has formed a Digital Accessibility Working Group, working closely with the NU System Steering Committee. Over the next six months, these groups will:

Communicate updates and guidance across campus
Propose language for updated NU accessibility policies
Launch a Bridge compliance training program for the entire UNO community

What Can You Do Now?

For Faculty & Course Creators: Use the services provided by the UNO Digital Learning Team, including:

Consultation & Training: Meet with an Instructional Designer for one-on-one support.
Course Design Reviews: Get feedback using the OSCQR accessibility rubric.
Workshops & Digital Badges: Join training sessions on accessibility best practices.
Use the Panorama Tool: Scan and improve content accessibility in Canvas.

For Website and Social Media Managers: If you manage a UNO webpage or social media channel, you must take steps now to ensure content meets accessibility standards.

View the web accessibility page to learn what next steps you should take.
View the social media accessibility page to learn more and stay compliant.

More training and resources for web accessibility will be available soon.

For Everyone:
Take advantage of UNO’s Digital Accessibility resources and training on the Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI) Digital Accessibility Resource Hub.

Upcoming Training & Support Opportunities

To support you in making your content accessible, ILCI is offering the following live workshops:

📅 PowerPoint Accessibility – March 26, 2:00-3:00 PM (Zoom)
📅 Accessible Audio & Video – April 9, 2:00-3:00 PM (Zoom)
📅 PDF Accessibility – April 23, 2:00-3:00 PM (Zoom)
📅 Universal Design for Learning – May 7, 2:00-3:00 PM (Zoom)

Need Assistance?

The UNO Digital Learning Team is here to help!
In-Person: Criss Library 320
Virtual Support: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 4 PM
Email: uno.its.digitallearning@unomaha.edu
By Appointment: Schedule a one-on-one consultation

UNO Digital Accessibility​