NC State and other public universities must meet new federal digital accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. These requirements apply to many of the digital materials Extension experts create every day, including webpages, documents, videos and social media posts.
This page provides an overview of what’s changing, what it means for Extension employees and what you should do now.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
In April 2024, the federal government updated ADA Title II, establishing federal digital accessibility standards for all state and local governments, including public universities. The rule requires digital content to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, helping ensure people of all abilities can access public information and services.
Review a Plain-Language Overview of the New Rule and What’s Expected.
Accessibility has long been something universities were encouraged to do — the federal government is simply moving from strongly encouraging digital accessibility to formally requiring it. Like all large public institutions, NC State should be in compliance by APRIL 24, 2026.
What the Deadline Means
While April 24, 2026, is the formal deadline, this is not a drop-dead date requiring every existing page, post and file to be fully accessible. The university’s approach — consistent with how many higher-ed institutions are implementing the rule — focuses on training, making steady progress on existing materials and prioritizing the creation of accessible content moving forward.
Digital accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE
What Digital Accessibility Applies To
We must ensure that all digital content across NC State — including Extension — is accessible for everyone to see, hear and navigate. Accessibility requirements apply broadly to digital materials used in Extension programs and services, including:
- Websites and webpages
- Online publications and PDFs
- Videos and multimedia
- Online courses and training materials
- Social media content
- Mobile apps and digital tools used to deliver services
What Types of Digital Content are Covered by the Accessibility Requirements?
Common Digital Accessibility Practices
Digital accessibility standards and best practices haven't really changed — they're just moving from “recommended” to “required” moving forward. See a few examples:
- Add alt text to photos and graphics so people using screen readers know what’s shown (see EIT's guidance on writing good alt text).
- Include captions or transcripts for videos and audio clips.
- Use clear headings and simple structure so webpages are easy to follow.
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background.
- Use descriptive text for links (e.g., “Download the planting guide”) instead of vague phrases like “click here.”
Understanding ADA Responsibility and Liability
Employees are responsible for creating and maintaining accessible digital content in their programs and materials. At the same time, under ADA Title II, legal responsibility for compliance ultimately rests with the "public entity" — in this case, NC State — not individual employees or program teams.
How Accessibility Issues Are Typically Addressed
If accessibility issues are identified in digital content, these concerns are typically addressed through notification and remediation steps such as:
- Notification
The employee or program responsible for the content is notified and asked to correct the accessibility issue. - Follow-up reminder
If the issue is not resolved, a reminder may be sent with additional guidance or resources. - Assistance or consultation
Accessibility experts, like IT or communications staff, can help identify solutions and recommend updates. - Leadership support
If an issue remains unresolved, the matter may be elevated through supervisory or administrative channels to ensure it is addressed.
The purpose of this process is to resolve accessibility barriers and improve access to Extension resources, not to penalize people.
About ADA Penalties
Some ADA resources reference significant civil penalties of more than $100,000 for a first violation — these penalties apply to enforcement actions against organizations or institutions (covered entities), not individual employees or programs.
WHERE TO START
Digital Accessibility Hub
The university’s digital accessibility website is the best place to learn what all of this means and get started. From the fundamentals to guidance on specific types of content, the site has it covered:
Explore Available Accessibility Tools
Accessibility Testing Tools
Many platforms Extension employees already use include built-in accessibility checking tools to help avoid or correct common issues. Examples include:
- Canva Design Accessibility Guidance
- Foxit PDF Accessibility Checker
- Grackle for Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
- Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker
Visit NC State Digital Accessibility Resources for a variety of tools that can help identify issues such as missing alt text, heading structure problems or insufficient color contrast.
Built-in Accessibility Features in Extension Websites
The new Extension website platform (Wagtail) also includes built-in accessibility guardrails designed to help prevent common errors and make it easier to create accessible content from the start. For example:
- Alt text is required for uploaded images
- Headings must follow appropriate structure
- Page templates support proper color contrast and accessible layouts
- System flags and explains various accessibility issues found in content
- EIT using automated tools (Popetech) to scan sites for broader issues
Learn more about using Extension's new Wagtail website platform or contact the EIT Help Desk (eithelpdesk@ncsu.edu) for assistance.
Key Priorities for Employees
NC State's approach to digital accessibility is practical and risk-based. See below for guidance on prioritizing your accessibility efforts:
1. Complete required accessibility training
All faculty and staff who create digital content, or direct others to do so, should complete:
- Understanding Digital Accessibility: Your Legal Responsibility at NC State (7 min.)
- Digital Accessibility Basics (30 min.)
Department heads and unit leaders are responsible for ensuring completion within their areas by April 24, and are expected to complete each training themselves. Participation is tracked as an important college-level metric we are responsible for.
- Creating Accessible Social Media Content (Optional)
CALS is also offering the following support sessions on campus:
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 1:00-4:00 pm — 2405 Williams Hall
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1:00-4:00 pm — Seminar Room PSB
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 1:00-4:00 pm — 315 Patterson Hall
2. Ensure all NEW digital content is accessible
Creating accessible digital content moving forward is the most important thing to remember. This includes websites, documents, videos, presentations, social media posts and other public-facing materials — see an accessible document decision tree to help you determine the best format for your information.
Visit NC State Digital Accessibility Resources for tools that can help prevent and identify accessibility issues.
3. Review and improve high-visibility EXISTING content over time
Existing digital materials do not need to be remediated all at once. Units should continue reviewing and improving content over time, prioritizing public-facing resources that are most visible and/or essential to program participation.
Examples of higher-priority existing content may include:
- Prominent program information (like homepages)
- Frequently used resources and publications
- Active event postings or registration pages
Legacy materials such as older blog posts, archived PDFs or older social media content can be addressed over time.
For more information about how accessibility responsibilities apply to public institutions, see the ADA Title II Primer for State and Local Governments.
MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES
- NC State Digital Accessibility Resources and Training
- Extension IT Digital Accessibility Resources
- Document Accessibility Checkers
- Tips for Accessible Social Media
Who to Contact
If you have questions or need additional support, please contact one of the following digital accessibility leads:
- Extension — Bethany Geiger or Scott McCollum
- CALS — Megan Lybrand
- CNR — Erin Adair or Kristen Faber
- CVM — Aaron Rosario or Leigh Jay Temple
THE BOTTOM LINE
Your top priority should be making all new digital content accessible. Otherwise, continue improving existing materials over time.
Remember, the April 24 deadline is about demonstrating good-faith progress, not fixing every legacy file overnight. Focus first on high-visibility and frequently used resources, update what you can now and keep improving the rest moving forward.
