March 2025 Edition of Inside Equal Access
SPRING 2025 CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY UPDATES
New Nap Pod in the Library
If you’re feeling tired, overstimulated, or your chronic illness is flaring in between classes, the University Library has a new nap pod located on the 1st floor just past the elevators (near the SAS Office). The pod looks like a recliner with a white sliding bubble cover around the top area to provide privacy.
The pod can play music, recline, and has adjustable lighting and vibration settings all programed to help the user relax and unwind. All a user needs to do is sit down in the recliner and select their desired program.
Sharps Containers in the Residence Halls
Every residence hall lobby restroom now has a Sharps container! These containers are used to safely dispose of Sharps in order to help prevent the spread of disease or illness.
FEATURED TRAININGS
Accessibility Awareness 201
Thursday, March 27, 2025; 1 - 2 p.m.
If you've already taken Accessibility Awareness 101, please register for AA 201. We'll explore the models of disability, progress in disability activism and education, how disability and higher education intersect, and best practices for communicating with people with disabilities.
Making PDFs Accessible Using Adobe Acrobat PRO
Tuesday, April 8, 2025; 1 - 2 PM
The 2024 Final Rule addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all electronic documents must be accessible by April 2026. Learn how to quickly identify and fix accessibility issues using Adobe Acrobat Pro’s built-in tools, resulting in an accessible PDF.
KEY CHANGES IN DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY LAW
What the Latest ADA Final Rule Means at Kent State
Just under one year ago, in April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities.
This means that for any public institution receiving federal funding, it is a matter of law that all digital content be accessible. Kent State University has until April 2026 to ensure that all web content and apps are WCAG 2.1 AA compliant.
Although the WCAG guidelines refer to HOW to make content compliant, the rule itself outlines WHAT content must be accessible. The rule lays out key differences from the way that digital accessibility compliance had previously been addressed in higher ed institutions. Here are a few notable differences that we must implement:
- APPS, WEB CONTENT, AND FORMS: The language around digital content has changed significantly. Now, any "web content or mobile apps that a public entity provides or makes available directly" must be accessible; as well as those the public entity provides or makes available ‘‘through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements.’’
- SOCIAL MEDIA: "Public entities must use available accessibility features on social media platforms to ensure that their social media posts are as accessible as possible."
- CAPTIONING OF ALL LIVE AND PRE-RECORDED CONTENT: Captions for all videos are mandatory now, including the description of important visual cues that happen when audio is silent. This level of accuracy will require a real person to correct the captions before publishing. Real-time transcription is required for any live events, whether in-person or by video.
- COURSE CONTENT: is subject to the same regulations as other web content. Do not upload ANY handwritten documents or inaccessible PDFs to Canvas. The requirement of credentials to login to Canvas does not void the necessity of the content being accessible.
- Do not require the use of any apps that have not been vetted by IT, even "for fun" or to promote engagement.
TRANSLATION: All required forms, all mobile apps, all course content, all web content, all social media posts, and all video must be fully WCAG 2.1 AA compliant as soon as possible, with an April 2026 deadline.
A cross-campus committee is working now to set a viable path for Kent State's progression toward compliance. This team will help guide you and assist in making plans to continue the good accessibility work you have already been doing.
Please take this time to invest in personal accessibility training and the gradual remediation of old content. We can supply you a recording of any training in our semesterly carousel. Work with your team to mandate successively more compliant accessibility standards for new content until you reach full WCAG compliance.
This is a very short summary of the rule; more information will be coming. You are welcome to study the language of the rule (PDF) itself; Subpart H deals with the specific requirements.
Please email EqualAccess@kent.edu with any questions.
FOLLOWING = LEARNING
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