Advancing Digital Accessibility at K-State
In spring 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule establishing updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ruling, which applies to state and local government entities — including all public schools, community colleges and public universities — requires digital/online content be fully compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standard, by a specified deadline. For K-State, that deadline is April 24, 2026.
These regulations require K-State’s digital content, including university websites, mobile applications, and materials housed on third-party platforms, such as our Canvas learning management system, conform to the standards set forth in the ruling. This includes both public-facing content and authenticated content behind log-in, which is inclusive of digital course materials.
A digital accessibility task force was established in Dec. 2024 to lead the work that will support K-State's full compliance.
The 2025 federal government transition has included an executive order that addresses diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). The scope and definition of the use of the word “accessibility” within the executive order has not yet been communicated from federal agencies.
The University is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar laws. As such, the university continues to work to meet updated digital compliance standards by April 2026.
- Develop a digital accessibility strategy and implementation plan, identifying priorities and a timeline with key initiatives and milestones.
- Draft due for review March 2025.
- Develop an engagement and communications strategy to begin communicating with and engaging the university community and key stakeholder groups.
- Develop and/or update university accessibility policies and procedures required for compliance with WCAG 2.1, Level A and Level AA standards for internal and public-facing digital content on websites and apps.
- Update the Course Accessibility Standards Policy (CASP) (PPM 3025).
- Provide digital content creators with tools to remediate accessibility issues.
- Evaluate the institutional purchasing process to ensure compliance in the use of campus technologies.
- Develop and implement a training strategy to educate faculty and staff on the utilization of the new tools and upcoming requirements.
The digital accessibility task force will report to Provost Jesse Mendez and Vice President Thomas Lane who serve as the executive sponsors of the initiative.
- Ashley Bourne, Co-Chair, Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing, Division of Communications and Marketing
- Elliot Young, Co-Chair, Assistant Vice President and University Risk and Compliance Officer, Division of Risk and Safety
- Blake Billings, Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
- Jason Ellis, Professor and Department Head, Communications and Agricultural Education, College of Agriculture
- Jon Faustman, Director of Web and Digital Strategy, Division of Communications and Marketing
- Scott Finkeldei, Director, Academic and Student Technology Services, Information Technology
- Kim LeCompte, Assistant Vice President, Talent Strategy and Engagement, Human Resources
- Jason Maseberg Tomlinson, Director, Student Access Center, Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs
- Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs and Innovation, Office of the Provost
- Lisa Shappee, Professor, Department of Integrated Studies and Director, Center for Academic and Learning Innovation, K-State Salina
- Christine Splichal, Director, Communications and Marketing, K-State Olathe
- Marisa Stahl, Director, Cashiers and Student Accounts, Division of Financial Services
- Michelle Turvey-Welch, Associate Professor and Department Head of Content Development, K-State Libraries
- Lisa Wilken, Associate Professor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering