As you heard during the fall semester and reiterated in the spring assembly, we are well into our year-long, campus-wide initiative to strengthen our digital presence and ensure that our digital spaces are accessible and welcoming for all. This work is prompted by federal guidelines through Title II of the American with Disabilities Act as well as state guidelines in VA HB 2541, which updates the VA Information Technology Access Act. Both have deadlines of April 24, 2026, and require all state and local government entities, including the University of Mary Washington, to ensure their websites, digital documents, social media, and mobile apps meet specific accessibility guidelines for web content.
An introduction to this effort was shared at the start of the fall semester, and we’ve added resources online, focused on course remediation for faculty, and web accessibilities basics. These resources include Panorama and Screenpal, as well as tools in our Microsoft Office Suite. If you need a refresher or a reminder of these tools and tactics, visit the Web Accessibility Work Group Website.
Start with recorded training sessions and web accessibility basics.
The Microsoft Office Suite that we use at UMW already has website checkers specific to the content platforms, typically located in the Review or Message tabs, for example. As you draft and send messages, documents, presentations, etc., pause to check accessibility and correct any errors.
Learn more on our Resources page and watch the training videos from Microsoft for everyday tips.
This month, we’ll offer reminders for web editors. If you currently have access to edit a umw.edu website, you’ll be contacted with scheduling opportunities. If you’ve recently been trained in the new web theme, you’ll have the digital accessibility tools as part of the introduction. In many cases, the best practices are provided as part of the theme. Training sessions begin Jan. 28 through Feb. 19.
Sign up for a web editor training if you have access to edit pages on umw.edu.
The scope of this work includes all of our websites and the systems we use daily such as umw.edu and Canvas and includes documents, digital tools and other electronic content, including social media, and we are working with departments to examine out digital footprint and share best practices.
- Faculty will continue working with Digital Learning Services on details specific to their courses.
- Staff will have resources as web editors and social media managers.
- Directors will receive more information via divisional meetings and can schedule sessions on the topic by email t2access@umw.edu.
The Web Accessibility Team will be providing training in the near future on additional tools which will assist with enhancing accessibility.
We look forward to collaborating with you as we focus on federal & state compliance and enhance the UMW digital experience for all.
On behalf or the Web Accessibility Team,
Ruth Davison, Co-chair
Director of Compliance, Title IX Coordinator, ADA Coordinator
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