Digital Accessibility Overview

Responding to Legislative Changes

Recent updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), finalized by the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2024, have clarified and strengthened legal requirements for public institutions, including colleges and universities, to ensure digital accessibility. These changes apply to web content, mobile apps and digital documents, including instructional materials offered by public entities and carry clear compliance expectations beginning in 2026. These changes aim to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to public information and services, a principle we uphold at MC. For more information, please read the full rule. The official version of the rule is published in the Federal Register.

In response to these changes, Montgomery College is reaffirming its commitment to accessibility and inclusion through proactive alignment with these new requirements through our Web Accessibility Project.

Web Accessibility Project: What You Need to Know

What Is This Project?

Montgomery College is undertaking a comprehensive Web Accessibility Remediation Project to ensure that our public-facing websites and digital content meet federal accessibility standards. This initiative is in direct response to the 2024 Final Rule of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, which requires all public colleges to ensure that their digital platforms conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by April 24, 2026.

Why Are We Doing This?

Accessibility is a legal obligation and a moral imperative. It ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully engage with our digital resources. This project reinforces Montgomery College’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and compliance with:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Title II of the ADA
• The 2024 ADA Final Rule on web and mobile accessibility

It also supports our institutional mission to provide accessible education and services to all students, employees, and community members.

What Will Be Remediated?

The project covers all digital content across the following websites:

• montgomerycollege.edu
• mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu
• info.montgomerycollege.edu

This includes:

• Web pages and applications
• Digital documents (PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Multimedia content (videos, livestreams, audio)
• Interactive features (forms, calendars, course registration)
• Social media and third-party content, where applicable

How Will It Happen?

The project is being spearheaded by a cross-functional team representing the Offices of Information Technology; Compliance, Risk, and Ethics; and the Universal Design Center. Key support is also being provided by content owners and editors from across the College.

Project Phases:

1. Audit: Review of current content using a third-party vendor and other tools to identify barriers.
2. Logging & Prioritization: Issues will be tracked and prioritized based on severity.
3. Remediation: The web team and document specialists will address issues to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
4. Governance: Policies and training will be implemented to prevent the introduction of new barriers. Check out the UDC calendar for workshops that may support this function.
5. Verification: All remediated content will be re-audited to ensure compliance.
6. Reporting: Progress will be regularly monitored and shared with stakeholders.

What Can You Do?

If you create or maintain content on College websites:

• Upload only those documents that have been designed with accessibility features (e.g., tagged PDFs)
• Use accessible design practices (e.g., alt text for images, meaningful link text)
• Participate in training opportunities offered by the Universal Design Center
• Review your content for compliance and seek help if needed

For resources to support the future development or remediation of documents that meet accessibility guidelines, check out the CLEAR Framework below.

Exceptions*

Some content is exempt, such as:

• Archived materials not in active use
• Pre-existing documents not essential for services
• External third-party content not controlled by the College
• Secure, individualized documents (like billing notices)
• Social media posts made before April 2026

*These exceptions are narrowly defined, and they do not apply if the content is updated, actively used, or essential for accessing public services.

How Will Success Be Measured?

We will consider the project successful when:

• All web pages and documents pass automated accessibility scans with no critical violations
• A sustainable governance model is in place to maintain compliance going forward

For questions or to request an update on progress, please contact UDC@montgomerycollege.edu.

The CLEAR Framework

The CLEAR Framework breaks accessibility into manageable actions that help you comply with ADA Title II regulations while enhancing the learning experience for all students. Each letter in CLEAR corresponds to a fundamental accessibility principle:

C – Caption Everything

Ensure all video and audio content include captions. This benefits not just deaf or hard-of-hearing users, but also non-native speakers, viewers in noisy environments, and those who prefer reading text alongside audio.

L – Logical Layout

Use consistent headings, straightforward navigation, and logical content sequencing. This structure helps users with cognitive or learning disabilities—and everyone else—interact with content more effectively.

E – Easy to Read

Apply high-contrast color schemes, readable sans-serif fonts, and plain language to make content accessible and engaging for users with low vision or cognitive disabilities.

A – Alt Text for Images

Include descriptive alternative text with images, charts, and graphs so that screen reader users or anyone who can’t view the image still receive the full informational value.

R – Responsive Design

Design content that adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices—desktop, tablet, and mobile—ensuring accessibility remains consistent for all users.

Why CLEAR Matters

CLEAR breaks accessibility down into five manageable and actionable steps. It aligns with the ADA’s Title II requirements and ensures:

• Compliance with federal law and WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards,
• Enhanced usability and equity in digital spaces for all users,
• Sustainability through consistent application of best practices in daily workflows.

Practical Implementation

The CLEAR Framework is woven into our broader Web Accessibility Remediation Project, where it serves as both a compliance guide and a training tool. Whether auditing content or creating new materials, CLEAR helps:

• Identify clear remediation steps during audits,
• Educate content creators through training and workshops,
• Reinforce governance policies to prevent new accessibility issues.

CLEAR Framework Guides