Commitment to Accessibility
We are committed to providing equal access to digital information and services. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement; it reflects our institutional values of inclusion, equity, and excellence.
Why is Penn State focusing on accessibility scans right now?
Penn State is focusing on accessibility scans now to better understand how accessible our websites are today and to identify barriers that may prevent people from fully using our digital services.
Using Siteimprove allows site owners, developers, designers, and content authors to see a site-wide list of accessibility issues in one place, rather than manually testing pages one at a time, while also giving central accessibility leaders up-to-date insight into the overall health of Penn State’s public websites and the ability to track progress over time. This shared visibility helps units prioritize improvements, work more efficiently, and move toward more consistent, inclusive digital experiences.
What is the April 2026 accessibility compliance deadline?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that requires state and local government websites and mobile applications, including public universities like Penn State, to conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard.
Under this rule, entities that serve populations of 50,000 or more people must have their digital content meet these accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. This deadline marks when the new federal technical requirements become effective, and institutions are expected to have taken meaningful steps toward compliance with the standards outlined in the rule.
How does this relate to university policy?
At Penn State, accessibility scanning and remediation efforts support existing university policies, specifically AD54 and AD69, which require that digital content and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. These policies establish accessibility as an institutional responsibility, not an optional best practice, and apply to websites, applications, and digital services across units.
Using Siteimprove and focusing on accessibility scans helps Penn State units demonstrate compliance with these policies, identify gaps, and make steady progress toward meeting both internal expectations and external accessibility standards.
What’s the ultimate goal?
Our ultimate goal is usability and equitable access. We want to ensure:
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People who use assistive technologies (like screen readers) can navigate content in a logical, meaningful way
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People who rely on a keyboard instead of a mouse can complete tasks and interact with all features
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People with visual impairments can perceive and read content through sufficient contrast, scalable text, and clear structure
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All users can access and complete essential tasks (such as forms, applications, etc.) independently
Remember our Intention
Accessibility is not just about meeting compliance requirements; it’s about creating an inclusive digital experience that allows all members of our community to participate fully and independently.