February 10, 2025
Subject: Enhancing Digital Accessibility for a Prosperous Future
Dear OSU Community,
At Oregon State University, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every student and employee can thrive. We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to university programs, services, and activities. As part of this commitment, we are enhancing digital accessibility across the university.
New Federal Requirements
In spring 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that requires the university to meet certain web and mobile technical standards by April 24, 2026. Adhering to these regulations is not just a legal requirement but a proactive step towards upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities. The OSU Disability Action Steering Group, which includes representatives from various departments, is coordinating efforts across key areas including web and mobile content, video captioning, instructional materials, accommodations, and procurement. Working groups are establishing standards and recommendations to assist OSU community members with compliance.
Call to Action
We need all faculty, staff, and students to join this important endeavor by learning and applying accessibility best practices to your documents, instructional materials, and digital content. The university’s New ADA Rule on Digital Accessibility site includes resources and tools that can help you make meaningful changes now. In the coming months, we’ll provide more information, guidance and support.
Recent Efforts
An ADA31 Taskforce was formed in 2021 as part of the university’s celebration of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) 31st anniversary. Multiple initiatives and efforts emerged from the taskforce’s recommendations that have laid a strong foundation for our continued progress towards a digitally accessible environment that benefits all OSU community members. These include:
- The OSU Accessibility site was refreshed and relaunched to serve as an information and resource hub.
- The IT Accessibility Policy, signed by President Murthy in August 2024, sets a collaborative vision and strategy for university-wide digital inclusivity.
- Extensive training and outreach have been provided to IT managers and other campus partners to elevate awareness across the institution.
- Operation: Dam the River aims to rapidly reduce and prevent digital accessibility issues by improving data quality from scanning tools, expanding the scanning scope, piloting new issue resolution capabilities on department websites, and developing dashboards and data models to prioritize impactful accessibility issues.
- OSU partners with Aira, a company that provides 24-hour-a-day on-demand remote visual interpretation services for the blind and low-vision community. This service is free for all OSU community members and visitors.
- The Accessible Campus Map Project will create a modern, fully navigable campus map that complies with WCAG 2.1 AA standards, enhancing wayfinding for all.
Embracing digital accessibility enhances the university’s ability to reach and engage a broader audience, supports OSU’s Prosperity Widely Shared goals and affirms the university’s dedication to justice and human dignity by ensuring all individuals, regardless of ability, have equal access to digital resources.
Thank you for joining us in this important and transformative endeavor.
Sincerely,
Andrea Ballinger
CIO and Vice Provost for University Information & Technology
Alix Gitelman
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Becky Bangs
Executive Director for Equal Opportunity and Access